HISTORY 


CHURCHES  AND  MINISTERS, 

AND    OF 

FRANKLIN  ASSOCIATION, 

IN 

FEANKLIN    COUNTY,    MASS. 

AND 

AN  APPENDIX  RESPECTING  THE  COUNTY. 
BY  REV.  THEOPHILUS  PACKARD,  JR., 

Late  Pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  in  Shelburne,  Mass. 


BOSTON: 
S.  K.  WHIPPLE  AND  COMPANY, 

100  Washington  Street. 

1854. 


Entered  according  to  an  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1854,  by 

Theophilus  Packard,  Jr., 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  tlie  District  Court  of  the  District  of  Massachusetts. 


DUTTON   &   WeNTWORTH,  PRINTERS, 

37  Congress  Street,  Boston. 


CONTENTS 


Pkeface  and  Explanation,  .----.        page  1 

Franklin  Countt  Mass.      -------  "7 

AsHFiELD.  Congregational  Church.  Pastors :  Jacob  Sherwin,  Nehemiah 
Porter,  Alvan  Sanderson,  Thomas  Shepard,  Mason  Grovesnor,  Burr  Bald- 
win, Sereno  D.  Clark,  and  William  H.  Gilbert.  Preachers  who  origi- 
nated from  Ashfield :  Rufus  B.  Bement,  William  Bement,  John  Cross, 
Anson  Dyer,  Alvah  Lilley,  Elijah  Paine,  John  C.  Paine,  William  P. 
Paine,  Melzar  Parker,  Samuel  Parker,  Charles  S.  Porter,  Freeman  Sears, 
Oliver  M.  Sears,  Preserved  Smith,  Preston  Taylor,  Morris  E.  White,  and 
Francis  Williams.  Other  Denominations  :  Baptists,  Episcopalians, 
Methodists,  Universalists,  and  Unitarians.  Summary  of  all  Preachers 
from  Ashfield.    ---------        page  9 

Bernardston.  Congregational  Churches.  Pastors:  John  Norton,  Job 
Wright,  Amasa  Cook,  Vinson  Gould,  Bancroft  Fowler,  Frederic  Janes, 
and  Charles  Kendall.  Preachers  who  originated  from  Bernardston: 
Samuel  C.  Allen  and  Elijah  Wollage.  Other  Denominations  :  Baptists, 
Methodists,  Unitarians,  and  Universalists.  Summary"  of  all  Preachers 
from  Bernardston.      -■-        -        -        -        --        -        page  32 

BucKLAND.  Congregational  Church.  Pastors :  Josiah  Spaulding,  Ben- 
jamin F.  Clarke,  Preston  Cummings,  and  Asa  B.  Smith.  Preachers  who 
originated  from  Buckland :  Jesse  Edson,  Washington  A.  Nichols,  Leb- 
beus  R.  Phillips,  David  Rood,  and  Lathrop  Taylor.  Other  Denomina- 
tions :  Baptists,  Episcopalians,  and  Methodists.  Summary  of  all  Preach- 
ers from  Buckland.    --------        page  52 

Charlemont.  Congregational  Churches.  Pastors :  Jonathan  Leavitt, 
Isaac  Babbitt,  Joseph  Field,  Wales  Tileston,  Stephen  T.  Allen,  John  D. 
Smith,  Moses  H.  Wilder,  and  Aaron  Foster.  Preachers  who  originated 
from  Charlemont :  James  Ballard,  Roswell  Hawks,  Theron  M.  Hawks, 
Lemuel  Leonard,  and  Daniel  Rice.  Other  Denominations:  Baptists, 
Methodists,  Unitarians,  and  Universalists.  Summary  of  all  Preachers 
from  Charlemont.      --------        page  64 


IV  CONTENTS. 

CoLERAiNE.  Congregational  Church.  Pastors:  Alexander  McDowell, 
Daniel  McCIellan,  Samuel  Taggart,  Aretas  Loomis,  Horatio  Flagg,  and 
Cj^rus  W.  Allen.  Preachers  who  originated  from  Coleraine :  Oren  John- 
son, Aretas  G.  Loomis,  Elihu  Loomis,  Lorenzo  Lyons,  Luke  Lyons,  Jon- 
athan McGee,  William  Riddel,  and  Hugh  Wallace.  Other  Denomina- 
tions :  Baptists,  C-h-r-i-s-t-i-a-n-s,  Methodists,  Perfectionists,  and  Univer- 
salists.     Summary  of  all  Preachers  from  Coleraine.    -        -        page  80 

CoNWAT.  Congregational  Church.  Pastors :  John  Emerson,  Edward 
Hitchcock,  Daniel  Crosby,  Melancthon  G.  Wheeler,  Samuel  Harris,  and 
George  M.  Adams,  Preachers  who  originated  from  Conway:  Joel 
Baker,  Elisha  Billings,  Richard  S.  Billings,  Abel  B.  Clary,  Dexter 
Clary,  Stalharn  Clary,  David  Dickinson,  Harrison  G.  O.  Dwight,  Sam- 
uel M.  Emerson,  Samuel  Fisher,  William  Fisher,  John  A.  Nash,  Edward 
W.  Root,  Joseph  K.  Ware,  Samuel  Ware,  and  William  Ware.  Other 
Denominations :  Baptists,  Episcopalians,  Methodists,  Unitarians,  and  Uni- 
versalists.     Summary  of  all  preachers  from  Conway.    -        -        page  99 

Deerfield.  Congregational  Churches.  Pastors :  John  Williams,  Jon- 
athan Ashley,  John  Taylor,  Henry  Seymour,  Alfred  E.  Ives,  Benjamin 
Rice,  Tertius  S.  Clarke,  William  M.  Richards,  Abraham  Jackson,  Moses 
K.  Cross,  and  David  A.  Strong.  Preachers  who  originated  from  Deer- 
field  :  Hiram  P.  Arms,  Selah  R.  Arms,  Joel  Bordwell,  Zenas  Clapp, 
Orin  Cooley,  John  Hawks,  Jr.,  Ebenezer  Hindsdale,  Edward  Hitchcock, 
Asa  Johnson,  Alonzo  Sanderson,  Rufus  Wells,  Eleazer  Williams,  Ste- 
phen Williams,  Warham  Williams,  and  Edward  Wright.  Other  De- 
nominations :  Baptists,  Episcopalians,  Methodists,  and  Unitarians.  Sum- 
mary of  all  Preachers  from  Deerfield.       -        .        -        _        page  123 

Erving.  Congregational  Church.  Pastor:  Josiah  Tucker.  Other  De- 
nominations :  Baptists,  and  Universalists.  Summary — one  preacher  from 
Erving.  ..---_...        page  160 

Gill.  Congregational  Church.  Pastors :  John  Jackson,  Jabez  Munsell, 
Josiah  W.  Canning,  James  Sandford,  William  Miller,  and  Edward  F. 
Brooks.  Preachers  who  originated  from  Gill:  William  M.  Richards, 
Samuel  H.  Riddel,  and  Jubilee  Wellman.  Other  Denorpinations :  Meth- 
odists, and  Unitarians.    Summary  of  aU  Preachers  from  Gill.      page  163 

Greenfield.  Congregational  Churches.  Pastors :  Edward  Billings,  Roger 
Newton,  Gamaliel  S.  Olds,  Sylvester  Woodbridge,  Amariah  Chandler, 
Charles  Jenkins,  William  C.  Fowler,  Caleb  S.  Henry,  Thomas  Bellows, 
Samuel  Washburn,  Lorenzo  L.  Langstroth,  and  George  C.  Partridge. 
Preachers  who  originated  from  Greenfield :  Edward  Billings,  Jr.,  Charles 
C.  Corse,  John  F.  Griswold,  Charles  P.  Russell,  and  Samuel  M.  Wood- 
bridge.  Other  Denominations  :  Baptists,  Episcopalians,  Methodists,  and 
Unitarians.     Summary  of  all  Preachers  from  Greenfield.      -      page  173 


CONTENTS.  V 

Hawley.  Congregational  Churches.  Pastors :  Jonathan  Grout,  Tyler 
Thacher,  Henry  Seymour,  Moses  Miller,  and  John  Eastman.  Preachers 
who  originated  from  Hawley :  Orramel  VV.  Cooley,  Marshall  L.  Farns- 
worth,  Pindar  Field,  Thomas  A.  Hall,  Urbane  Hitchcock,  Jonas  King, 
Foster  Lilley,  Jr.,  Alfred  Longley,  Moses  M.  Longley,  Isaac  Oakes,  Al- 
vah  C.  Page,  Jeremiah  Taylor,  Oliver  A.  Taylor,  Rufus  Taylor,  Timothy 
A.  Taylor,  and  Thomas  H.  Wood.  Other  Denominations :  Methodists. 
Summary  of  all  Preachers  from  Hawley,  _        .        .        page  202 

Heath.  Congregational  Churches.  Pastors  :  Joseph  Strong,  Moses  Mil- 
ler, Calvin  Butler,  Samuel  M.  Emerson,  Josiah  Fisher,  and  Alpheus 
Graves.  Preachers  who  originated  from  Heath:  Stephen  T.  Allen, 
Joshua  Leavitt,  Lowell  Smith,  David  H.  Thayer,  and  John  C.  Thompson. 
Other  Denominations:  Baptists,  Unitarians,  and  Universalists.  Sum- 
mary of  all  preachers  from  Heath. page  225 

Leverett.  Congregational  Church.  Pastors:  Henry  Williams,  Joel 
Wright,  Joseph  Sawyer,  Jonas  Colburn,  Freegrace  Reynolds,  and  David 
Eastman.  Preachers  Avho  originated  from  Leverett :  Levi  A.  Field,  Levi 
Field,  William  S.Smith,  and  Avery  Williams.  Other  Denominations : 
Baptists,  Episcopalians,  Unitarians,  and  Universalists.  Summary  of  all 
Preachers  from  Leverett.  -.-_.-        page  239 

Leyden.  Baptists,  Episcopalians,  Methodists,  and  Universalists.  Sum- 
mary of  all  preachers  from  Leyden.     Dorrelites.       -        -        page  249 

Monroe.  Universalists,  and  Unitarians.  Summary  of  all  Preachers  from 
Monroe, --        page  2(30 

Montague.  Congregational  Church.  Pastors:  Judah  Nash,  Aaron 
Gates,  Moses  B.  Bradford,  Benjamin  Holmes,  and  James  H.  Merrill. 
Preachers  who  originated  from  Montague :  Lucius  R.  Eastman,  Walter 
Gunn,  and  Justin  Marsh.  Other  Denominations :  Baptists,  Episcopalians, 
and  Unitarians  .  Summary  of  all  Preachers  from  Montague.       page  261 

New  Salem.  Congregational  Churches.  Pastors :  Samuel  Kendall,  Joel 
Foster,  Levi  French,  Erastus  Curtis,  and  William  H.  Hay  ward.  Preach- 
ers who  originated  from  New  Salem :  Josiah  L.  Armes,  Caleb  Clark,  and 
John  Taylor.  Other  Denominations:  Baptists,  Methodists,  Unitarians, 
and  Universalists.    Summary  of  Preachers  from  New  Salem,      page  274 

NoRTHFiELD.  Congregational  Churches.  Pastors:  Benjamin  Doolittle, 
John  Hubbard,  Samuel  C.  Allen,  Eli  Moody,  Bancroft  Fowler,  Horatio 
J.  Lombard,  Nathaniel  Richardson,  and  Luther  Farnham.  Preachers 
who  originated  from  Northfield:  Caleb  Alexander,  Joseph  R.  Field, 
Lucius  Field,  Thomas  P.  Field,  and  Frederic  Janes.  Other  Denomina- 
tions :  Baptists,  Episcopalians,  Metliodists,  and  Unitarians.  Summary  of 
all  Preachers  from  Northfield. page  282 


VI  CONTENTS. 

Orange.  Congregational  Churches.  Pastors:  Emerson  Foster,  Josiah 
Tucker,  and  David  Peck.  Other  Denominations:  Baptists,  Metho- 
dists, Unitarians,  and  Universalists.  Summary  of  all  preachers  from 
Orange. -...         page  298 

RowE.  Congregational  Churches.  Pastors:  Preserved  Smith,  Jonathan 
Keith,  John  C.  Thompson,  Andrew  Govan,  and  Benjamin  F.  Clarke. 
Preachers  who  originated  from  Rowe :  Joseph  W.  Clary,  Noah  Cressey, 
Preserved  Smith,  Jr.,  and  Sereno  W.  Streeter.  Other  Denominations : 
Baptists,  Methodists,  and  Unitarians.  Summary  of  all  Preachers  from 
Rowe. --        page  3C8 

Shelburne.  Congregational  Churches,  Pastors :  Robert  Hubbard,  Jesse 
Townsend,  Theophilus  Packard,  Theophilus  Packard,  Jr.,  and  George  F. 
Bronson.  Preachers  who  originated  from  Shelburne :  Amariah  Chandler, 
Rufus  Childs,  Daniel  T.  Fisk,  Ezra  Fisk,  Pliny  Fisk,  Samuel  Fisk,  Rob- 
ert Hubbard,  Jr.,  Giles  Lyman,  Theophilus  Packard,  Jr.,  and  Levi  Pratt. 
Other  Denominations:  Baptists,  Methodists,  Unitarians,  Universalists, 
Shaking  Quakers,  and  Episcopalians.  Summary  of  all  Preachers  from 
Shelburne page  322 

Shutesbury.  Congregational  Church.  Pastors:  Abraham  Hill,  John 
Taylor,  and  Ezra  Newton.  Preachers  who  originated  from  Shutesbury: 
Dyer  Ball,  Oliver  Hill,  and  Samuel  W.  Leonard.  Other  Denominations : 
Baptists,  Methodists,  and  Universalists.  Summary  of  all  Preachers  from 
Shutesbury.     -----_---        page  356 

Sunderland.  Congregational  Church.  Pastors :  Joseph  Willard,  William 
Rand,  Joseph  Ashley,  Asa  Lyon,  David  H.  Williston,  James  Taylor, 
Henry  B.  Holmes,  Solomon  B.  Ingram,  Austin  Cary,  Henry  B,  Hosford, 
and  Sereno  D.  Clark.  Preachers  who  originated  from  Sunderland :  Ed- 
ward Billings,  Eli  F.  Cooley,  Joseph  Field,  Alpheus  Graves,  Horatio  N 
Graves,  Austin  O.  Hubbard,  Jonathan  Hubbard,  Ochus  G.  Hubbard,  and 
Rodolphus  B.  Hubbard.  Other  Denominations:  Baptists,  and  Unita- 
rians.    Summary  of  all  preachers  from  Sunderland.  -        -        page  365 

Warwick.  Congregational  Churches.  Pastors:  Lemuel  Hedge,  Samuel 
Reed,  Samuel  Kingsbury,  and  Roger  C.  Hatch.  Preachers  -who  origi- 
nated from  Warwick :  John  Fiske,  Moses  Fiske,  Nahum  Gould^,'  Junius 
L.  Hatch,  Francis  Leonard,  Swan  L.  Pomroy,  and  Levi  ^^yJeaton.  Other 
Denominations :  Baptists,  Episcopaliscris,  Unitarians  and  Universalists. 
Summary  of  all  preachers  from  Warwick.         -        -        _         page  397 

Wendell.  Congregational  Church.  Pastors:  Joseph  Kilburn,  Hervey 
Wilbur,  John  Duncklee,  William  Claggett,  Salmon  Bennett,  and  Noa- 
diah  S.  Dickinson.    Preachers  who  originated  from  Wendell :  Warren 


CONTENTS.  Vll 

H.  Beaman,  and  Joseph  Sawyer.    Other  Denominations :  Baptists.    Sum- 
mary of  all  preachers  from  Wendell.         -        .        .        -        page  408 

Whatelt.  Congregational  Churches.  Pastors  :  Rufus  Wells,  Lemuel  P. 
Bates,  John  Ferguson,  J.  Howard  Temple,  Charles  N.  Seymour,  and 
Jonathan  S.  Judd.  Preachers  who  originated  from  Whately :  Pnmroy 
Belden,  Perez  Chapin,  Lucius  W.  Chapman,  Alvan  Sanderson,  and  Rufus 
P.  Wells.  Other  Denominations :  Baptists  and  Methodists.  Summary 
of  all  Preachers  from  Whately. page  413 

General  Summary,         .-.--_--"    425 

Table  No.  I,  of  all  the  existing  Churches  in  the  County,    -        -     "    426 

Table  No.  II,  of  all  the   Preachers   who   originated  from  the 
County, "426 

Table  No.  HI,  of  all  the  Orthodox  Congregational  Churches  in 
the  County, "427 

Table  No.  IV,  of  the  Orthodox  Congregational  Pastors  of  the 

County, "429 

Table  No.  V.,  of  the  Orthodox  Congregational  Preachers  who 
originated  from  the  County, "    433 

History  of  Franklin  Association;  its  Members  and  Licen- 
tiates, -- "    438 

Appendix,  -  __.-.----"    451 

Table  No.  I,  of  the  Incorporation  and  Valuation  of  the  Towns,  -     "     451 

Table  No.  II,  of  the  Population  of  the  Towns  from  1790,  -        -     "    452 

Table  No.  Ill,  of  the  Educational  and  other  Statistics  of  tlie 

Towns, "453 

Courts  in  the  County,      _--_----"  453 

Counselors,    -----------  454 

Physicians,     -_----.---"  454 

Banks,  Papers,  Various  Societies, "  455 

Productions,  &c.,  ----------  455 

Benevolent  Contributions, "  455 


PREFACE. 


The  chief  object  of  this  work  is,  to  present  a  brief  view 
of  the  most  important  and  interesting  facts  in  the  history  of 
the  Orthodox  Congregational  Churches  and  Ministers  of 
Franklin  County,  Mass,  In  doing  this,  it  has  seemed  suita- 
ble to  take  some  notice  of  the  other  religious  denominations 
in  the  county.  To  furnish  a  full  and  particular  history  of 
any  religious  denomination,  is  a  work  that  belongs  most  ob- 
viously to  a  member  of  that  denomination.  Hence  the 
brevity  of  the  account  given  of  those  religious  orders  to 
which  the  author  does  not  belong.  So  intimately  connected 
has  been  the  Franklin  Association  of  Ministers  with  the 
Orthodox  Congregational  Churches  and  Ministers  of  the 
county,  that  a  brief  sketch  of  its  history,  and  some  notice 
of  its  members  and  its  licentiates,  seem  necessary  to  the 
completeness  of  this  work.  The  Appendix  is  designed  to 
furnish  a  variety  of  information  relative  to  the  county, 
which  i3  not  collected  in  any  single  work,  and  to  which 
reference  can  easily  be  made. 

This  work  is  intended  to  be  a  collection  of  facts.  It  has 
been  the  aim  of  the  author  to  relate,  upon  satisfactory  evi- 
dence, what  has  taken  place  in  reference  to  the  subjects 
here  considered ;  and  not  generally  to  offer  his  conjectures, 
or  speculations,  or  inferences.  No  small  amount  of  time 
and  effort  has  been  required  to  obtain  full  and  reliable  in- 
formation. To  secure  such  information,  probably  about 
eight  hundred  letters  have  been  written,  and  nearly  as  many 
received.  All  but  eight  of  the  living  Orthodox  Congrega- 
1 


-4  PREFACE. 

tional  Ministers,  who  have  been  and  now  are  pastors  in  the 
county,  and  who  originated  from  it,  have  themselves  kindly 
furnished  the  statistics  in  their  history.  This  work  was 
commenced  seven  years  since,  under  the  direction  of  Frank- 
lin Association  ;  but  they  subsequently  committed  it  entirely 
to  the  hands  of  the  author.  He  alone  is  responsible  for  the 
production. 

It  is  believed,  that  no  work,  embracing  just  such  a  field 
as  is  here  occupied,  has  yet  appeared  before  the  public. 
This  is  only  an  approximation  to  what  should  be  done. 
Should  this  humble  attempt  exert  any  influence  in  leading 
to  the  preparation  of  full  and  detailed  Ecclesiastical  and 
Ministerial  histories  of  the  difl'erent  sections  of  our  country, 
or  of  New  England,  one  valuable  purpose  will  be  answered. 
Such  histories  ought  speedily  to  be  written.  Respect  for 
our  noble  ancestors,  justice  to  ourselves,  benevolence  to  our 
posterity,  and  the  interests  of  the  Christian  Religion,  de- 
mand them. 

In  the  accounts  given  of  Ministers,  the  author  has  intended 
to  give  only  the  statistical  facts  in  the  history  of  the  liv- 
ing, and  generally  to  insert  the  biographical  notices  written 
by  others,  respecting  the  deceased.  Such  biographies 
occupy  no  small  portion  of  the  volume.  As  correct  delinea- 
tions of  Preachers  of  the  Gospel,  who  either  received  more 
or  less  of  their  early  training  in  this  county,  or  who  exer- 
cised the  functions  of  the  pastoral  ofiice  in  the  churches  of 
the  county — being  men  of  widely  diiferent  endowments, 
habits,  tastes  and  degrees  of  education — and  many  of  them 
having  been  pioneers  in  the  ministry  in  the  newly  settled 
towns  of  this  region,  and  consequently  subjected  to  peculiar 
hardships  and  privations — the  biographies,  it  is  hoped,  may 
not  be  uninteresting  to  the  religious  and  reflecting  portion  of 
the  people  in  the  county.  In  those  unhappy  cases,  in  which 
ministers  have  fallen  into  faults  or  immoralities,  only  a  brief 
and  general  statement  of  the  fact  has  been  given ;  minute 
details  have  been  omitted. 


PREFACE, 


In  the  limited  account  given  of  those  denominations,  with 
which  the  author  is  not  connected,  he  has  especially  en- 
deavored to  state  facts  with  fairness  and  correctness.  For 
his  information  he  has  been  chiefly  dependent  on  the  kind- 
ness of  ministers,  officers,  and  members  of  churches,  and 
others  connected  with  those  denominations.  If  mistakes 
have  been  made,  they  probably  originated  with  those  who 
furnished  the  accounts. 

Explanation. — A  few  explanatory  words  may  render  the 
plan,  method,  and  statements  of  the  following  work  more 
intelligible  and  easy  of  comprehension.  A  few  facts  of  a 
general  nature  respecting  the  county  and  the  several  towns, 
are  deemed  a  fit  introduction  to  a  particular  account  of  the 
churches  and  ministers  in  the  respective  towns.  A  more 
full  account  of  churches  and  ministers  is  given  in  some  cases 
than  in  others.  The  reason  for  this,  generally  is,  inability 
to  procure  the  information  lacking.  In  some  cases,  the  early 
records  of  churches  are  not  to  be  found.  For  this  reason 
the  enumeration  of  religious  Revivals  and  Ecclesiastical 
Councils,  and  some  other  events  noticed  in  the  following 
pages,  is  not  complete.  Ministers  from  this  county  who  be- 
came Presbyterian,  are  ranked  in  the  Congregational  order, 
and  the  distinction  between  these  two  orders  is  not  generally 
observed  in  the  account  of  ministers  given  in  this  work. 
Although  a  person  has  preached  but  a  short  time,  and  has 
then  wholly  left  the  ministry  for  some  other  employment — 
and  although  he  has  not  been  ordained — yet  every  such  per- 
son who  has  originated  from  this  county,  has  been  reckoned 
in  this  work  as  a  Preacher,  so  far  as  the  knowledge  of  the 
author  extends.  If  a  preacher  has  not  been  ordained,  he  is 
not  strictly  a  minister,  but  a  licentiate  ;  and  in  this  work  the 
title  of  Mr.,  and  not  of  Rev.,  is  applied  to  him.  When  min- 
isters have  left  one  denomination  for  another,  they  are  no- 
ticed and  reckoned  in  both  the  denominations.  When  it  is 
said  in  the  following  pages,   that  a  minister  or  preacher 


4  PREFACE. 

originated  from  a  certain  town,  it  is  meant,  either  that  he 
was  born  in  the  town,  or  lived  in  it  in  early  life.  In  the 
account  here  given  of  the  Methodists,  the  distinction  be- 
tween the  Episcopal  and  Wesleyan  orders,  and  between  a 
church  and  a  class,  is  not  probably  always  observed.  As 
the  Unitarian  denomination  was  once  reckoned  as  belonging 
to  the  Orthodox  Congregational  order,  and  the  time  of  sepa- 
ration is  not  definitely  fixed,  it  has  been  a  difficult  and  deli- 
cate work  to  state  when  the  seven  Unitarian  churches  in  the 
county  that  were  originally  Orthodox,  changed  their  denom- 
ination ;  and  consequently  the  statements  on  this  point  have 
been  somewhat  general  and  indefinite.  The  pastors  of  these 
churches  at  the  period  when  this  change  of  denomination 
was  in  progress,  have  been  classified  as  Orthodox  or  Unita- 
rian, according  to  the  best  information  of  the  author.  If  he 
has  erred  in  the  classification,  his  error  is  unintentional. 
The  religious  organizations  among  the  Universalists  are  not 
called  churches  but  societies.  In  the  arrangement  of  the 
towns,  and  of  the  different  denominations,  except  the  Ortho- 
dox Congregational  order,  and  of  the  preachers  who  origin- 
ated from  the  county,  the  alphabetic  order  is  generally  ob- 
served. A  star  *  prefixed  to  the  name  of  a  preacher  signifies 
that  he  has  deceased.  The  mark  of  interrogation  annexed 
to  figures  indicates  an  uncertainty  as  to  their  correctness. 

While  mention  is  made  of  some  of  the  persons,  who  have 
preached  as  supplies  among  the  various  churches,  yet  it  is 
not  pretended  that  the  whole  number  have  been  noticed. 
It  has  been  found  impossible  to  learn  the  names  of  all  who 
have  supplied  for  brief  periods — especially  in  the  early  his- 
tory of  the  churches.  Probably  the  names  of  all  the  preach- 
ers in  the  other  denominations  beside  the  Orthodox  Con- 
gregational, who  have  originated  from  the  county,  are  not 
mentioned  in  this  work.  After  taking  great  pains,  the 
author  has  enumerated  all  of  this  class  known  to  him. 

In  preparing  such  an  amount  of  statistical  matter  as  is 
found  in  this  work,  respecting  which  it  is  so  easy  to  make 


PREFACE.  5 

mistakes  and  so  difficult  to  be  correct  and  accurate,  the 
author  dares  not  flatter  himself,  that  the  book  is  entirely 
free  from  errors  in  this  respect.  He  has  done  all  that  seemed 
reasonable  and  practicable,  to  make  it  a  reliable  repository  of 
facts  respecting  the  Ecclesiastical  and  Ministerial  History 
of  the  county.  As  such  it  is  humbly  commended  to  the 
candid  attention  of  the  people  of  the  county,  for  whom 
principally  it  was  prepared. 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY,  MASS. 


In  1662,  the  territory  of  this  county,  then  inhabited  only 
by  wild  beasts  and  Indians,  was  incorporated  as  a  part  of 
Hampshire  County.  It  was  incorporated  as  Franklin  Coun- 
ty, June  24,  1811.  The  following  graphic  description  of  it 
is  given  in  Hayward's  Gazetteer  of  Massachusetts,  pub- 
lished in  1849  :— 

"It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Windham  County,  Ver- 
mont, and  a  part  of  Cheshire  County,  New  Hampshire  ;  east 
by  Worcester  County ;  south  by  Hampshne  County  ;  and 
west  by  the  County  of  Berkshire. 

'•  The  surface  of  Franklin  County  is  elevated  ;  the  Green 
mountain  range  extends  from  north  to  south,  presenting 
some  of  the  wildest  and  most  picturesque  scenery  in  the 
state.  The  soil  of  the  county,  however  broken  by  hills  of 
no  common  height,  is  exceedingly  fertile  ;  its  numerous  ex- 
pansive valleys  of  rich  alluvion  produce  the  finest  crops  of 
all  sorts  of  grains  and  grasses ;  while  its  mountain-sides 
afford  rich  pasturage  for  countless  flocks  and  herds. 

"Few  sections  of  our  country  equal  the  county  of  Frank- 
lin in  the  extent  and  value  of  its  hydraulic  power.  The 
noble  Connecticut  pierces  its  centre  from  north  to  south ; 
the  romantic  and  powerful  Deerfield  pours  its  volume  of 
water  from  the  west,  while  Miller's  river  comes  in  from  the 
east  with  its  rapid  current,  joins  the  two  former  near  the 
heart  of  the  county,  and  passes  to  the  ocean.  These  rivers, 
combined  with  their  numerous  tributaries,  watering  every 
section  of  the  county,  produce  a  water-power  of  great  extent 
and  usefulness. 


8  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

"  Until  within  a  few  years  the  people  of  this  county  have 
confined  themselves  chiefly  to  the  pursuits  of  agriculture ; 
and  in  that  their  soil  and  climate  have  favored  them ;  but 
since  it  has  been  discovered  that  our  workshops  had  better 
be  located  at  home  than  abroad,  they  have  commenced  man- 
ufacturing most  of  those  articles  for  which  they  had  been 
dependent  on  others  ;  and  it  cannot  be  doubted  that  in  a  few 
years,  with  its  gigantic  water-power,  aided  by  steam  in  its 
transportation,  this  hitherto  secluded  county  will  become  an 
important  district,  both  in  its  agricultural  and  manufacturing 
operations." 

The  territory  of  the  county  has  been  calculated  to  contain 
723  square  miles.  It  is  divided  into  twenty-six  incorporated 
towns ;  of  which  the  following  is  an  alphabetical  list,  viz, : 
Ashfield,  Bernardston,  Buckland,  Charlemont,  Coleraine, 
Conway,  Deerfield,  Erving,  Gill,  Greenfield,  Hawley,  Heath, 
Leverett,  Leyden,  Monroe,  Montague,  New  Salem,  North- 
field,  Orange,  Rowe,  Shelburne,  Shutesbury,  Sunderland, 
Warwick,  Wendell  and  Whately.  The  population  of  the 
county  in  1790,  was  21,743 ;  in  1800,  it  was  26,300 ;  in 
1810,  it  was  27,421;  in  1820,  it  was  29,418;  in  1830,  it 
was  29,630;  in  1840,  it  was  28,812;  and  in  1850,  it  was 
30,869.  Excepting  Dukes  and  Nantucket,  it  has  the  small- 
est population  of  any  counties  in  the  state. 

The  first  settlement  made  in  the  county,  the  first  church 
formed,  and  the  first  minister  employed  and  settled,  were 
in  Deerfield.  The  early  settlers  of  this  town,  Green- 
field, Bernardston,  Northfield,  and  some  other  towns,  passed 
through  some  terrible  scenes  of  Indian  warfare. 

Religious  controversy  has  not  greatly  prevailed  in  this 
county.  About  the  middle  of  the  last  century,  some  discus- 
sion arose  respecting  the  terms  of  admission  to  the  church.  In 
the  early  part  of  this  century,  the  subject  of  christian  fellow- 
ship between  the  Orthodox  and  Unitarians  was  agitated  witii 
some  interest  and  zeal  in  the  community.  About  a  quarter 
of  a  century  since,  the  respective  religious  systems  of  the 


OF    ASHFIELD.  9 

Orthodox  and  Unitarians,  were  subjects  of  discussion  to  a 
considerable  extent  in  the  county.  Between  1818  and  1834, 
five  Unitarian  churches  or  societies  were  formed  in  the 
county ;  and  six  Orthodox  churches  were  organized,  which 
to  some  extent  were  secessions  from  Unitarian  churches. 

Many  of  the  churches  have  enjoyed  repeated  seasons  of 
religious  revival.  In  1831  and  1833,  protracted  meetings  of 
several  days  were  held  in  many  of  the  religious  societies  in 
the  county.  During  the  year  1831,  more  than  550  were  ad- 
mitted to  less  than  twenty  of  the  Orthodox  Congregational 
churches. 

There  are  now  in  the  county  eight  incorporated  Acade- 
mies; about  8,000  children  in  attendance  on  the  district 
schools ;  about  50  practising  physicians ;  some  25  counsel- 
lors, and  160  justices  of  the  peace ;  and  about  80  churches, 
80  religious  meetings  on  the  Sabbath,  and  80  preachers,  of 
all  denominations. 

ASHFIELD. 

The  territory  in  this  town  was  given  to  Capt.  Ephraim 
Hunt  of  Weymouth,  for  his  services  in  the  Canada  expedi- 
tion of  1690.  It  was  actually  conveyed  to  his  heirs  in  1736. 
In  honor  of  Capt.  Hunt  it  was  called  Huntstown  till  its  in- 
corporation June  21,  1765.  The  town  began  to  be  settled 
about  1742.  It  had  a  small  military  garrison  in  1750.  On 
account  of  the  French  and  Indian  war  the  settlements  were 
abandoned  for  a  season  in  1755.  Its  population  in  1850 
was  1394.  Five  churches  have  been  organized  in  this 
town,  viz.,  one  Congregational,  two  Baptist,  one  Methodist, 
one  Episcopal,  and  a  Universalist  society. 

CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

Church.  The  Congregational  church  was  organized  Feb. 
22,  1763,  with  15  members. 

The  first  Meeting-house  of  the  Congregationalists  was  built 
in  1766.  The  second  was  built  in  1812.  Col.  John  Ames, 
2 


10  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

of  Buckland,  contracted  to  build  this  house,  and  had  nearly- 
finished  itj  when  he  committed  suicide.  The  fear  of  sus- 
taining a  serious  loss  by  the  contract,  and  probably  a  degree 
of  insanity,  led  to  this  melancholy  catastrophe.  The  second 
house  was  thoroughly  remodeled  about  1840. 

Eleven  Revivals  have  been  enjoyed  by  this  church  and 
people,  resulting  in  the  addition  of  about  430  members  to 
the  church.  The  first  was  in  1780,  and  25  were  added; 
in  1797,  and  71  added;  in  1801,  and  13  added;  in  1807, 
and  46  added;  in  1816,  and  20  added;  in  1821,  and  81 
added ;  in  1828,  and  18  added ;  in  1829,  and  87  added ;  in 
1831,  and  36  added ;  in  1834,  and  from  20  to  30  added  ;  in 
1843,  and  14  added. 

Several  Councils  have  been  called  to  settle  difficulties 
among  this  people;  one  was  called  in  Feb.,  1774;  one  was 
called  April  24,  1832 ;  one  by  an  excommunicated  member, 
July  1,  1835 ;  and  one  by  the  church,  June  1,  1847. 

The  Charitable  contributions  of  this  people,  in  1853, 
amounted  to  |329  50.  The  church  in  1853  numbered  180. 
In  1852  the  Sabbath  School  contained  245  members. 

The  first  Congregational  preaching  in  town  was  by  Revs. 
Messrs.  Dickinson  of  Hadley,  and  Streeter.  The  following 
persons  were  invited  to  become  pastors  of  the  church,  who 
did  not  settle  in  the  ministry  in  Ashfield,  viz..  Rev.  Sylves- 
ter Woodbridge  in  1815,  for  whose  ordination  a  council  was 
convened,  Jan.  2,  1816,  but,  upon  the  presentation  of  a  pro- 
test, they  declined  to  ordain  him  ;  Rev.  Stephen  C.  Crosby, 
May  6,  1818;  and  Rev.  Ezekiel  Russell,  Nov.  30,  1835. 
This  church  has  existed  about  91  years,  and  has  had  settled 
pastors  about  87  years,  and  has  been  destitute  of  the  same 
only  about  three  years.     This  church  has  had  eight  pastors. 

Pastors.  1.*  Rev.  Jacob  Sherwin  was  ordained  as 
pastor  of  this  church,  the  day  after  its  organization,  Feb. 
23,  1763,  and,  after  a  ministry  of  about  eleven  years,  was 
dismissed  May  17,  1774.  He  was  born  in  Hebron,  Ct.,  Feb. 
25,  1736,  and  graduated  at  Yale  in  1759.     After  his  ordina- 


OF    ASHFIELD. 


11 


tion  in  Ashfield,  a  contest  arose  between  the  Congregation- 
alists  and  the  Baptists  respecting  their  claims  to  a  lot  of 
land  of  several  hundred  acres,  which  was  to  accrue  to  the 
society  which  first  settled  a  pastor.  The  case  was  decided 
in  law  in  favor  of  the  Congregationalists.  Conflicting  ac- 
counts of  this  affair  are  given  by  the  different  parties.  The 
views  of  the  Baptists  on  the  subject,  are  given  in  the  Minutes 
of  the  Franklin  County  Baptist  Association  for  1852.  Mr. 
Sherwin  lived  in  Ashfield  several  years  after  his  dismission ; 
officiated  as  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and  as  town  clerk,  and 
preached  some  in  Buckland,  and  other  neighboring  towns. 

Mr.  Sherwin  at  length  removed  to  Sunderland,  Vt.,  and 
was  installed  as  the  pastor  of  one  of  the  Congregational 
churches  in  that  town,  March  18,  1790.  Rev.  Nehemiah 
Porter,  of  Ashfield,  preached  the  sermon  on  the  occasion. 
Some  singular  circumstances  occurred  in  connection  with 
his  settlement  in  this  latter  place.  A  lot  of  land  in  the 
town  had  been  given  for  the  support  of  the  pastor  who 
should  be  first  settled.  Two  churches  had  been  formed  in 
different  parts  of  the  town,  and  each  wished  to  have  its  min- 
ister settled  first,  so  as  to  obtain  the  land.  Both  pastors  were 
settled  on  the  same  day,  and  the  land  was  claimed  for  both. 
Rev.  Dr.  Lee,  afterwards  a  pastor  in  Colebrook,  Ct.,  and 
Rev.  Mr.  Sherwin  were  the  pastors.  Suits  at  law  were 
commenced.  "The  matter  was  continued  in  the  County 
Court  for  a  long  time,  and  a  great  deal  of  curious  testimony 
was  adduced  from  the  clocks  and  watches  of  Sunderland, 
respecting  the  point  in  question.  At  length,  with  a  discrim- 
ination which  has  seldom,  if  ever,  been  equalled,  it  was 
decided  that  the  settlement  of  Mr.  Sherwin  preceded  that  of 
Dr.  Lee  about  two  minutes.  This  settled  the  matter  in  re- 
spect to  the  law,  but  not  in  respect  to  the  Gospel.  The 
expenses  of  the  suit  were  heavy,  and  the  alienation  such  as 
could  not  be  healed.  Some  of  the  best  men  left  the  place, 
among  whom  was  the  father  of  the  late  Jeremiah  Evarts, 
Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  American  Board.     An  awful 


12  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

declension  followed,  and  the  moral  desolation  remains  yet  to 
be  repaired."  See  Am.  Q-uart.  Register,  vol.  15,  p.  135. 
Mr.  Sherwin  was  unable  to  officiate  as  pastor  for  several 
years  previous  to  his  death.  He  died  and  was  buried  in 
Sunderland,  Vt.  Rev.  Mr.  Jackson,  then  of  Dorset,  Vt.,  de- 
livered the  sermon  at  his  funeral.  The  following  is  the 
epitaph  on  his  monument,  viz.  :  "  In  memory  of  Rev.  Jacob 
Sherwin,  who  died  Jan.  7,  1803,  aged  66  years,  10  months, 
and  7  days." 

"  When  Christ  appears  in  yonder  cloud 
With  all  his  favored  throng, 
This  dust  shall  wake  and  sing  aloud, 
And  Christ  shall  be  the  song." 

2.*  Rev.  Nehemiah  Porter  was  installed  Dec.  21,  1774. 
On  the  first  day  of  the  council  only  two  ministers  were 
present;  messengers  were  despatched  for  the  absent  mem- 
bers. Mr.  Hubbard,  of  Shelburne,  arrived  the  next  day, 
and  the  council  proceeded.  Mr.  Porter  preached  his  own 
installation  sermon.  He  was  born  in  Ipswich,  March  22, 
1720 ;  graduated  in  Cambridge  in  1745 ;  ordained  in  Ipswich, 
Chebacco  Parish,  now  Essex,  Jan.  3,  1750 ;  dismissed  in 
June,  1766,  and  then  preached  several  years  at  Cape  Canso, 
Nova  Scotia.  He  lived  to  have  two  pastors  successively 
settled  as  colleagues  with  him  in  Ashfield.  Being  in  his 
one  hundredth  year  at  the  settlement  of  his  last  colleague, 
he  ascended  the  pulpit  on  that  occasion,  and,  blind  by  age, 
and  tottering  in  step,  with  a  tremulous  voice  affectionately 
exhorted  the  people  to  live  at  peace  among  themselves. 
The  following  obituary  notice,  by  Rev.  Thomas  Shepard, 
was  published  in  the  Boston  Recorder,  vol.  5,  No.  33 : 

"  Rev.  Nehemiah  Porter  was  born  at  Ipswich,  in  the  Coun- 
ty of  Essex,  State  of  Mass.,  March  22,  1720,  O.  S.,  of  honest 
and  respectable  parents,  who  early  dedicated  this  son  to  the 
Lord,  and  brought  him  up  in  his  fear.  Nehemiah,  when  a 
child,  was  put  under  the  instruction  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wig- 


OF    ASHTIELD. 


13 


glesworth,  the  faithful  and  pious  minister  of  the  parish 
where  he  Hved.  Here  he  became  the  subject  of  deep  relig- 
ious impressions,  which  issued  in  a  hopeful  conversion  to 
God,  the  evidence  of  which  he  exhibited  by  a  public  pro- 
fession of  his  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  by  a  life  and  con- 
versation which  adorned  his  profession.  At  length  a  strong 
desire  was  excited  in  his  mind  to  become  a  minister  of  Christ, 
and  to  preach  and  recommend  that  religion  to  others,  the 
excellency  of  which  and  the  power  of  which,  he  had  seen 
and  felt  in  his  own  soul.  This  being  communicated  to  his 
father,  with  whom  he  then  lived  and  labored,  he  was  again 
sent  to  Mr.  W.,  to  attend  to  his  preparatory  studies.  *  * 
Soon  after  his  settlement  at  Chebacco,  he  married  his  first 
wife,  the  daughter  of  Rev.  Mr.  Chipman  of  Beverly,  by 
whom  he  had  ten  children.  With  this  amiable  and  pious 
woman,  the  companion  of  his  youth,  he  was  called  to  part 
in  the  meridian  of  her  life.  *  *  *  in  1778  Mr.  Porter 
married  his  second  wife.  *  *  He  occasionally  exhorted 
and  prayed  in  public,  with  edification  to  his  hearers,  until  he 
reached  his  one  hundredth  year.  In  June,  1819,  the  Rev. 
Thomas  Shepard  was  ordained  the  second  colleague  with  Mr. 
Porter.  Hundreds,  if  not  thousands,  will  remember  to  the  day 
of  their  death,  the  novel  and  melting  scene  of  the  ordination 
day.  They  will  remember  the  venerable  appearance  of  their 
senior  pastor,  bending  under  the  weight  of  about  one  hun- 
dred years,  as  he  passed  along  the  broad  aisle,  leaning  on  his 
two  staffs ;  they  will  remember  the  firm  and  steady  step  with 
which  he  ascended  the  pulpit  stairs  without  aid,  the  fer- 
vency with  which  he  engaged  in  the  consecrating  prayer, 
with  his  apostolical  hand  on  the  head  of  his  young  col- 
league, and  the  distinct,  audible,  and  aff'ectionate  manner  in 
which  he  addressed  a  few  dying  words  to  his  beloved  flock, 
in  the  form  of  a  charge.  With  his  second  colleague  he  lived 
in  great  harmony  and  christian  affection  until  his  death. 

''As  a  preacher  Mr.  Porter  sustained  a  very  respectable 
character ;  if  not  a  star  of  the  first  magnitude,  yet  he  shone 


14  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

with  a  clearness  and  degree  of  lustre,  which  rendered  him 
an  ornament  to  the  church.  *  *  *  His  sermons  were 
always  plain  and  simple,  well  calculated  to  instruct  and  im- 
press the  mind,  and  delivered  with  remarkable  animation, 
pungency,  and  holy  fervor.  His  ministerial  labors  were 
blessed  to  the  awakening  and  converting  of  many  sinners, 
and  to  the  enlightening,  comforting,  and  edifying  of  many 
christians.  *  *  *  For  several  years,  previous  to  his 
death,  religion  was  the  constant  theme  of  his  conversation. 
It  may  be  truly  said,  that  he  preached  daily  to  those  who 
visited  him  in  his  own  house.  *  *  *  He  devoted  many 
hours,  every  day,  to  secret  prayer.  *  *  *  He  trusted 
solely  in  the  merits  of  Christ  for  salvation.  When  told  that 
he  had  labored  a  long  time  in  the  ministry,  and  had  been 
instrumental  of  doing  much  good,  he  would  reply,  "  I  have 
been  very  unfaithful.  I  hope  I  shall  obtain  mercy  through 
Christ."  *  *  *  He  expressed  great  confidence  in  God, 
and  spake  of  death  with  much  composure.  At  9  o'clock, 
P.  M.,  (Feb.  29,  1820,)  he  calmly  fell  asleep  in  peace." 

The  following  incidents,  communicated  to  the  author,  will 
still  further  illustrate  the  character  of  Mr.  Porter.  He  was 
a  chaplain  in  the  American  army,  at  the  surrender  of  Bur- 
goyne.  He  used  to  say,  with  a  great  deal  of  animation,  "  I 
conquered  him.  The  decisive  blow  was  struck,  and  the 
battle  decided,  while  I  was  holding  a  season  of  special  prayer 
in  a  retired  place,  with  a  few  pious  soldiers."  He  had  great 
firmness  and  decision  of  character.  Once,  when  preaching 
on  politics,  a  gentleman  of  the  opposite  party  rose  in  his 
pew  and  said,  "  Mr.  Porter,  you  had  better  let  that  subject 
alone."  Upon  which,  with  a  stamp  of  the  foot,  and  great 
energy,  he  exclaimed,  "  Silence,"  and  proceeded  with  his 
discourse.  He  was  a  strict  observer  of  the  Sabbath.  He 
would  frequently  go  into  his  field,  where  his  men  were  at 
work,  on  Saturday  afternoon,  to  urge  them  to  finish  their 
labor  by  the  going  down  of  the  sun. 

At  Mr.  Porter's  request,  Rev.  John  Emerson  of  Conway 


OFASHFIELD.  15 

preached  his  funeral  sermon.  He  lacked  but  twenty-two 
days  of  completing  one  hundred  years.  On  his  gravestone, 
near  the  Congregational  church,  is  the  following  epitaph : — 
"  Mr.  Porter  was  a  faithful  minister  of  Christ ;  with  long  life 
he  was  satisfied ;  he  fell  asleep  in  Jesus,  in  hope  of  a  joyful 
resurrection  and  a  blessed  immortality."  "  The  righteous 
shall  be  in  everlasting  remembrance."  He  held  the  pastoral 
office  in  Ashfield,  about  forty-five  years. 

3.*  Rev.  Alvan  Sanderson  was  installed  as  colleague 
with  Mr.  Porter,  June  22,  1808.  He  was  born  in  Whately, 
Dec.  13,  1780 ;  graduated  at  Williams  College,  in  1802 ; 
studied  theology  with  Rev.  Dr.  Hyde  of  Lee,  and  for  a  short 
time,  with  Rev.  Dr.  Lyman  of  Hatfield ;  was  licensed  by  the 
Berkshire  Association,  Oct.  17,  1804;  was  ordained  as  an 
Evangelist,  at  Westhampton,  Feb.  4,  1807 ;  the  ordination 
sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Rufus  Wells  of  Whately ;  and 
he  fulfilled  several  missions  in  Vermont  and  Maine,  in  the 
service  of  the  Hampshire  Missionary  Society,  previous  to 
his  settlement  in  Ashfield. 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  a  biography  of  him, 
written,  it  is  supposed,  by  Rev.  Mr.  Spaulding  of  Buckland, 
and  published  in  the  14th  vol.  of  the  Panoplist  and  Mission- 
ary Herald  for  1818,  at  page  393  :— 

"  His  duties  to  his  flock  occupied  his  time,  and  engrossed 
the  sensibilities  of  his  heart.  In  their  afflictions,  he  was  af- 
flicted ;  he  sympathized  in  their  sorrows,  and  rejoiced  in 
their  welfare.  On  occasions  in  which  he  thought  his  public 
performances  had  not  possessed  a  warmth  suited  to  the 
solemnity  of  the  subject,  his  reflections  on  his  own  unwor- 
thiness  and  coldness,  and  his  earnest  supplications  for  pardon, 
showed  his  estimation  of  the  responsibilities  of  his  office,  and 
his  anxiety  to  be  a  faithful  watchman  over  immortal  souls. 
He  enjoyed  many  encouraging  evidences  of  a  blessing  from 
heaven  upon  his  labors.  His  people  gave  a  laudable  attend- 
ance on  his  ministry,  and  exhibited  much  personal  attach- 
ment, which  he  assiduously  employed  for  their  spiritual  im- 


16  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

provement,  that  through  his  influence  and  exertions  their 
souls  might  be  saved  in  the  day  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  His  de- 
sire was  to  be  spent  for  them.  The  strength  of  his  benevo- 
lence towards  them,  urged  him  to  exertions  which  broke  down' 
a  constitution  not  capable  of  sustaining  extreme  fatigue. 

"  On  the  3d  of  Feb.  1814,  at  a  public  lecture,  in  which  the 
assembly  was  very  large,  after  the  pronunciation  of  an  elab- 
orate discourse,  he  felt  an  unusual  weariness,  as  the  imme- 
diate consequence  of  his  efforts  in  speaking.  This  was 
followed  the  next  day  by  a  spitting  of  blood.  This  symp- 
tom frequently  occurring  within  a  few  days,  excited  some 
alarm,  but  did  not  induce  Mr.  S.  entirely  to  suspend  his 
public  services.  On  the  Lord's  day,  Feb.  13,  he  was  unable 
to  preach,  and  soon  after  an  entire  suspension  of  ministerial 
labors  became  indispensable.  From  a  journey,  undertaken 
as  a  means  of  restoration,  he  returned  in  the  month  of  June, 
and  was  soon  after  attacked  by  a  copious  haemorrhage,  which 
so  much  reduced  him,  that  his  life  was  despaired  of.  Prov- 
idence, however,  had  ordained  a  lengthening  out  of  his  tran- 
quillity, and  raised  him  up,  not  indeed  to  resume  his  public 
pastoral  labors,  but  to  do  something,  where  he  greatly  de- 
sired to  do  much,  as  a  helper  of  souls  in  the  way  to  heaven. 

"  His  confinement  was  not  long,  though  for  a  time  it  as- 
sumed a  threatening  appearance.  When  it  became  evident 
that  he  could  not  soon,  if  ever,  again  undertake  public  speak- 
ing, his  concern  for  the  religious  interests  of  his  people 
would  not  permit  him  to  stand  in  the  way  of  their  enjoying 
active  services  in  a  successor.  He  accordingly  requested  a 
dismission,  which  was  granted,  by  advice  of  a  council  called 
to  ordain  another  pastor. 

*  *  *  "  A  consumption  gradually  advanced,  and  finally 
bore  him  away  to  the  land  of  silence,  whence  he  now  speaks 
to  us  in  the  devout  affections  and  humility  of  his  life.  While 
death  was  silently  approaching,  and  his  system  sinking  under 
the  weight  of  disease,  his  mind  was  calm,  and  his  faith  and 
hope  were  in  God.     *    *    * 


OF    ASH FIELD.  17 

"  Mr.  Sanderson's  life  was  comparatively  short,  yet  long 
enough  to  produce,  for  the  instruction  and  comfort  of  his  re- 
lations and  acquaintance,  an  example  of  Christian  piety  and 
ministerial  fidelity,  displaying  the  power  of  grace  and  the 
excellence  of  religion.  His  person  was  rather  below  the 
middle  stature,  his  temper  was  mild,  his  manners  afiable, 
rather  distinguished  for  gentleness  and  courtesy  to  all.  His 
intellect,  though  not  of  the  first  class,  yet  by  the  unanimous 
testimony  of  his  acquaintance,  was  truly  respectable.  His 
application  to  study,  was  that  of  a  man  searching  for  truth, 
such  as  will  make  men  wise  unto  salvation.  His  mode  of 
sermonizing  was  clear  and  convincing  in  the  exhibition  of 
doctrine,  though  not  fascinating  in  style  or  maimer.  In  all 
departments  of  his  sacred  employment,  he  was  serious  and 
judicious,  desiring  to  leave  a  good  impression  on  those  with 
whom  he  was  conversant.  His  brethren  in  the  ministry  will 
witness,  that  in  his  intercourse  with  them  he  ,was  always 
conciliating  and  instructive.  He  possessed  a  tenderness,  a 
sensibility,  and  freedom  of  address,  eminently  adapted  to  the 
offices  of  friendship  and  the  enjoyments  of  social  life. 
Among  his  people  he  was  serious,  familiar,  sympathetic,  and 
obliging  ;  was  much  in  their  society,  a  large  portion  of  his 
time  being  spent  in  parochial  visits,  which  were  so  divided 
among  the  scattered  population  of  his  parish,  that  they 
showed  the  interest  which  all  had  in  his  affections.  For 
these  purposes  he  had  more  leisure  than  most  clergymen, 
resulting  from  his  freedom  from  domestic  cares. 

"Although  his  salary  was  small,  so  well  was  it  managed  by 
prudence  and  economy,  that,  together  with  some  little  pat- 
rimony, it  enabled  him  to  procure  a  decent  library,  to  be  lib- 
eral in  deeds  of  charity,  and  to  accumulate  something  for 
appropriations  to  such  objects  as  he  wished  to  patronize.  As 
his  near  relations  were  above  want,  he  considered  himself  at 
liberty  to  devote  his  property  to  public  uses.  Accordingly, 
it  was  principally  disposed  of  in  the  following  bequests,  viz.  : 
To  the  church  in  Ashfield,  to  purchase  a  Bible,  twenty  dol- 
3 


18  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

lars ;  to  the  religious  society  with  which  he  had  been  con- 
nected, for  the  support  of  a  Pedobaptist  Congregational  min- 
ister, four  hundred  dollars ;  to  the  Hampshire  Missionary 
Society,  two  hundred  dollars ;  to  the  American  Board  of 
Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions,  three  hundred  dollars. 
The  remainder  of  his  estate  he  committed  to  the  care  and 
management  of  trustees,  for  the  continuance  of  the  school, 
which  he  had  begun  under  encouraging  auspices.  This  last 
item  is  expected  to  amount  to  fifteen  hundred,  or  two  thou- 
sand dollars."  The  school  here  referred  to,  Avas  afterwards 
incorporated  as  "  Sanderson  Academy."  Mr.  Sanderson  was 
never  married.  He  died  June  22,  1817,  on  the  ninth  anniver- 
sary of  his  settlement  in  Ashfield,  in  his  37th  year.  Rev. 
Mr.  Spaulding,  of  Buckland,  preached  at  his  funeral.  His  re- 
mains sleep  by  those  of  his  aged  predecessor,  near  the  sanc- 
tuary.    His  ministry  in  A.  was  about  eight  years. 

Among  the  numerous  preachers  who  supplied  the  desk 
during  Mr.  Sanderson's  sickness,  and  previous  to  the  settle- 
ment of  the  next  pastor,  were  Rev.  Luke  Whitcomb,  Rev. 
Stephen  C.  Crosby,  and  Rev.  Sylvester  Woodbridge ;  the 
latter  of  whom  was  invited  to  settle,  but  the  want  of  unan- 
imity among  the  people  prevented  the  council,  when  con- 
vened, from  ordaining  him. 

4,  Rev.  Thomas  Shepard,  D.  D.,  was  ordained  colleague 
pastor,  June  16,  1819.  Rev.  Dr.  Shepard  of  Lenox  preached 
on  the  occasion.  Mr.  Shepard  was  born  in  Norton,  in  1792 ; 
graduated  at  Brown  in  1813;  studied  theology  at  Andover ; 
was  licensed  by  Londonderry  Presbytery,  April,  1816;  was 
employed  till  1819,  as  a  missionary  and  teacher  in  Georgia, 
and  as  agent  of  the  Asylum  for  the  Deaf  and  Dumb  at  Hart- 
ford, Ct.  After  his  dismission  from  Ashfield,  May  8,  1833, 
was  an  agent  for  the  American  Bible  Society,  about  two 
years ;  and  was  installed  in  Bristol,  R.  I.,  April  30,  1835, 
where  he  still  remains.  During  his  ministry  of  fourteen 
years  in  Ashfield,  two  hundred  and  seventy-four  were  ad- 
mitted to  his  church.  Dr.  Shepard  received  his  Doctorate 
from  Brown  University,  in  1853. 


OFASH  FIELD.  19 

5.  Rev.  Mason  Grovesnor  was  installed  pastor,  May  9, 
1833.  He  was  bora  in  Craftsbury,  Yt.,  Sept.  13,  1800;  grad- 
uated at  Yale,  in  1827;  studied  theology  at  New  Haven ;  was 
ordained  as  an  Evangelist  at  Guilford,  Ct.,  March  22,  1831 ; 
was  dismissed  from  Ashfield,  after  a  ministry  of  about  two 
years,  July  16,  1835 ;  was  installed  at  Sharon,  Ct.,  Sept.  28, 
1836,  and  the  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Dr.  Lathrop ; 
dismissed  from  Sharon,  Jan.  28,  1839 ;  installed  at  Hudson, 
O.,  Dec.  22,  1840,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Dr.  L.  P. 
Hickok ;  dismissed  from  Hudson  in  August,  1843 ;  was  then 
at  the  head  of  a  female  seminary  in  Hudson,  till  1847,  and 
has  since  been  an  agent  of  the  Society  for  the  Promotion  of 
Collegiate  and  Theological  Education  at  the  West,  and  re- 
sided in  New  Haven  till  1853,  when  he  left  his  agency,  and 
became  connected  with  the  College  at  Jacksonville,  Illinois. 

6.  Rev.  Burr  Baldwin  was  installed  pastor,  April  20, 
1836,  and  Dr.  Brown  preached  on  the  occasion.  He  was 
born  in  Fairfield,  (now  Easton,)  Ct.,  Jan.  19,  1789;  grad- 
uated at  Yale,  in  1809 ;  studied  theology  at  Andover  ; 
preached  for  several  years  as  a  missionary  in  Ohio,  Virginia, 
New  York,  and  New  Jersey ;  acted  as  agent  for  several  be- 
nevolent societies ;  preached  as  stated  supply  for  two  years,  in 
New  Jersey;  installed  at  Montrose,  Penn.,  in  October,  1824, 
and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Cyrus  Gildersleeve  ;  installed 
at  New  Hartford,  Ct.,  Feb.  17,  1830,  and  the  sermon  was  by 
Rev.  Mr.  Andrus ;  dismissed  from  New  Hartford,  Feb.  6, 
1833  ;  dismissed  from  Ashfield  in  Sept.,  1838 ;  then  taught 
an  academy  in  Newark,  N.  J. ;  and  since  1847,  has  been  a 
missionary  in  the  Montrose  Presbytery  in  Pennsylvania,  and 
resides  in  Montrose.  He  exerted  an  important  influence  in 
the  early  introduction  of  Sabbath  Schools  into  our  country. 
In  1815  he  gathered  the  first  Sabbath  School  in  Newark, 
N.  J.,  and  in  six  weeks  had  300  scholars.  Lack  of  health 
prevented  the  fulfilment  of  his  early  purpose  to  become  a 
foreign  missionary.  He  has  one  daughter,  now  laboring  in 
the  foreign  field,  the  wife  of  a  missionary.  Mr.  Baldwin's 
ministry  in  Ashfield  was  about  two  years  and  a  half. 


20  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

7.  Rev.  Sereno  D.  Clark  was  ordained  pastor,  June  11, 
1840.  He  was  born  in  Southampton,  in  1809  ;  graduated  at 
Amherst  in  1835 ;  studied  theology  in  part  at  Andover ;  was 
dismissed  from  Ashfield,  April  22,  1851 ;  installed  at  Lee, 
June  11,  1851 ;  dismissed  from  Lee,  June  22,  1852  ;  and  was 
installed  at  Sunderland,  May  31,  1853,  and  Dr.  Cleaveland  of 
Northampton  preached  on  the  occasion.  He  is  the  author 
of  a  premium  tract  on  Christian  Benevolence.  Mr.  Clark's 
ministry  in  Ashfield  was  about  eleven  years. 

8.  Rev.  William  H.  Gilbert  was  installed  pastor,  Dec. 
3,  1851.  The  sermon  on  the  occasion  was  preached  by 
Rev.  George  Richards  of  Boston,  and  was  published,  with 
an  Appendix,  containing  a  historical  sketch  of  the  Con- 
gregational Church  and  Society  and  Ministry  in  Ashfield. 
Mr.  Gilbert  was  born  in  Weston,  Ct.,  in  1817;  spent  his 
early  life  in  Colebrook,  Ct. ;  graduated  at  Yale,  in  1841 ; 
studied  theology,  both  at  Andover  and  New  Haven ;  or- 
dained over  the  first  church  in  Westminster,  Yt.,  Oct.  21, 
1846,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Dr.  Davis  of  Westfield  ; 
and  was  dismissed  from  Westminster,  March  5,  1851.  An 
interesting  memoir  of  Mr.  Gilbert's  first  wife,  who  was  Miss 
Elizabeth  Mosely  of  Westfield,  and  who  died  Dec.  13,  1846, 
has  been  published  by  Dr.  Davis.  Mr.  Gilbert  is  now  in  the 
third  year  of  his  ministry  in  Ashfield. 

Of  the  eight  pastors  of  this  church,  six  were  dismissed. 
The  average  length  of  their  pastorates  has  been  about  eight 
years  and  a  half.     Five  of  them  are  living. 

congregational  preachers  who  originated  from  ashfield. 

1.  Rev.  Riifus  B.  Betnent  was  born  in  Ashfield,  June  5, 
1808 ;  finished  the  course  of  study  at  the  Rensselaer  Insti- 
tution in  Troy,  N.  Y.,  in  1830 ;  studied  and  practised  med- 
icine several  years ;  removed  to  Michigan  in  1835 ;  was  a 
member  of  the  Legislature  of  that  State  in  1838 ;  studied 
theology  with  Rev.  Dr.  Cleaveland,  now  of  Northampton  ; 
was  ordained  in  Clarendon,  Mich.,  in  Nov.,  1840 ;  preached 


OFASHFIELD.  21 

in  Ohio  and  Indiana ;  visited  Egypt,  Arabia,  and  Palestine  ; 
has  given  thirty  courses  of  lectures  on  Chemistry,  seventy- 
five  courses  on  Botany,  and  a  thousand  lectures  on  Ancient 
History.  He  resides  in  Bedford,  Ohio.  In  1853  he  deliv- 
ered his  course  of  lectures  on  Ancient  History,  in  various 
places  in  New  England. 

2.  Rev.  William  Bemeiit,  brother  of  Rufus  B.  Bement, 
was  born  in  Ashfield,  April  5,  1806 ;  graduated  at  Dart- 
mouth, in  1828;  studied  theology  at  Princeton;  was  li- 
censed by  Hampden  Association,  in  the  fall  of  1832  ; 
preached  at  Hamden  Plains,  Ct.,  in  1833  ;  was  ordained  at 
East  Hampton,  Oct.  16,  1833,  and  Rev.  M.  E.  White 
preached  on  the  occasion ;  was  dismissed  from  East  Hamp- 
ton, in  April,  1850;  installed  at  Elmira,  N.  Y.,  March  5, 
1851,  and  Rev.  E.  Y.  Swift  preached  the  sermon  at  his  in- 
stallation.    Mr.  Bement  still  labors  at  Elmira. 

3.  Rev.  John  Cross  was  born  in  Ashfield,  June  1,  1797  ; 
removed  to  Fabius,  N.  Y.,  in  1805;  prepared  for  the  minis- 
try in  part  at  Oneida  Institute,  Whitesborough,  N.  Y. ;  was 
licensed  by  the  Oneida  Association,  in  1833 ;  preached  in 
Geneva,  Oriskany  Falls,  Oneida,  and  Camden,  N.  Y.,  several 
years  ;  was  an  anti-slavery  agent,  from  1836  to  1846,  in  New 
York  and  Illinois ;  and  was  once  imprisoned  in  Knoxville, 
111.,  for  harboring  a  fugitive  slave,  a  widow,  and  her  chil- 
dren ;  united  with  the  Wesleyan  Methodists  in  1846,  and 
was  a  circuit  preacher  till  1851 ;  is  now  an  agent  of  the 
Methodist  Academic  and  Collegiate  Institution  at  Wheaton, 
111.,  and  resides  at  that  place. 

4.  Rev.  Anson  Dyer  was  born  in  Ashfield,  April  18,  1798 ; 
was  in  the  employ  of  the  American  Board,  as  a  teacher  and 
laborer  among  the  Choctaw  Indians,  from  1820  to  1828  ;  his 
wife  died  at  Elliot,  in  1822 ;  he  studied  theology  with  Rev. 
Moses  Hallock,  of  Plainfield ;  was  licensed  by  Franklin  As- 
sociation in  1829 ;  was  ordained  by  the  same  body  as  an 
Evangelist,  April  21,  1831,  at  West  Hawley,  where  he  sup- 
plied for  several  years.     He  was  deposed  from  the  ministry 


22  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

by  Franklin  Association,  for  unministerial  conduct,  March 
26,  1834.  He  resides  in  West  Hawley,  as  a  private  citizen. 
Mr.  Dyer,  within  a  few  years  past,  has  been  an  inmate  of  the 
Asyhim  for  the  Insane,  at  Brattleboro',  Vt. 

5.  Rev.  Alvah  Lilley  was  born  in  Ashfieid,  Dec.  19,  1797; 
removed  to  Buckland  in  1805  ;  removed  to  Hawley  in  1809  ; 
graduated  at  WiUiams  in  1824;  studied  theology  at  Aubm-n; 
was  licensed  by  the  Cayuga  Presbytery,  N.  Y.,  in  June, 
1827 ;  was  ordained  as  an  Evangelist,  at  Franklin,  N.  Y., 
July  15,  1829  ;  has  supplied  various  churches  in  New  York  ; 
installed  pastor  at  Newfield,  N.  Y.,  June  11,  1835;  dismissed 
from  Newfield,  Sept.  10,  1839 ;  preached  in  Gorham,  N.  Y., 
from  1839  to  1844 ;  and  since  1844  has  been  preaching  in 
Pewaukie,  Wisconsin,  and  in  neighboring  places,  under  the 
Home  Missionary  Society,  and  now  resides  in  Pewaukie, 
Wis. 

6.*  Rev.  Elijah  Paine  was  born  in  Ashfieid,  Dec.  9,  1797; 
graduated  at  Amherst  in  1823 ;  studied  theology  with  Dr. 
Humphrey,  then  President  of  Amherst  College ;  ordained 
pastor  at  Claremont,  N.  H.,  April  1,  1829,  and  the  sermon 
was  by  Rev.  John  Richards ;  dismissed  from  Claremont  in 
1834 ;  installed  at  West  Boylston,  Nov.  13,  1834,  and  Rev. 
Thomas  Shepard  preached  on  the  occasion ;  and  died  while 
pastor  at  West  Boylston,  Sept.  14,  1836,  in  his  39th  year. 
His  funeral  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Josiah  Clarke,  of 
Rutland. 

The  following  obituary  notice  of  Mr.  Paine,  written  prob- 
ably by  Rev.  Mr.  Clarke,  of  Rutland,  was  published  in  the 
Boston  Recorder,  Nov.  4,  1836  : — 

"  By  this  mournful  event,  the  wife  and  children  have  lost 
a  kind  husband  and  father  ;  parents,  brothers,  and  sisters, 
one  who  was  a  worthy  pattern  of  filial  and  fraternal  affec- 
tion ;  and  the  church  and  people  an  able  and  faithful  pastor. 
On  no  occasion  have  we  witnessed  a  more  deep  and  univer- 
sal expression  of  sorrow,  than  was  manifested  by  an  over- 
flowing congregation  at  his  funeral.     In  his  brief  ministerial 


OFASHFIELD.  23 

course,  he  has  left  imperishable  memorials  of  his  faithfulness 
and  devotedness  to  his  work.  During  the  five  years  he  was  in 
Claremont,  N.  H.,  his  preaching  and  labors  were  remarkably 
blessed ;  and  the  church  there  gave  an  united  and  full  testi- 
mony of  his  being  '  a  workman  that  needeth  not  to  be 
ashamed.'  Soon  after  his  installation  in  West  Boylston,  in  No- 
vember, 1834,  a  powerful  and  extensive  revival  commenced. 
His  soul  was  in  that  work.  It  was  too  mighty  for  his  already 
shattered  frame,  and  accelerated  the  terrific  disease  that  ter- 
minated in  his  death.  He  thought  it  not  expedient  to  dis- 
tract the  minds  of  his  people  by  the  voice  of  strangers,  and 
therefore  had  little  foreign  aid.  The  peculiarity  of  his 
preaching  was  a  lucid,  argumentative,  and  forcible  exhibi- 
tion of  truth.  There  was  no  attempt  to  produce  excitement, 
except  through  the  medium  of  the  understanding  ;  and  no 
encouragement  given,  except  to  those  who  were  ready  to 
give  a  reason  of  their  hope.  Hence  the  revival  was  still, 
solemn,  and  uniform  in  its  progress,  permanent  and  salutary 
in  its  influence.  He  had  greatly  endeared  himself  to  the 
children  and  youth  of  his  parish,  by  kind  attention  and  re- 
ligious instruction,  and  was,  in  the  strength  of  Jesus  Christ, 
rearing  up  a  generation  of  intelligent  and  efficient  christians. 
It  would  be  difficult  to  describe  the  sensation  caused  by  this 
mournful  event,  among  the  younger  part  of  the  congregation. 
They  showed  by  their  grief,  that  an  impression  had  been 
made  upon  their  minds,  which  would  not  soon  be  erased, 
and  that  the  attachment  to  their  instructor  was  of  no  ordi- 
nary kind. 

"  His  brethren  in  the  Association  to  which  he  belonged, 
consider  that  they  have  lost  one  of  their  brightest  ornaments. 
He  stood  high  among  them  as  a  scholar,  as  a  theologian,  as 
one  of  sound  judgment,  of  firm  principles,  and  of  that  inde- 
pendence and  integrity  of  mind,  which  can  be  formed  only 
by  being  thoroughly  imbued  with  the  spirit  of  Christ." 

The  following  brief  extracts  are  from  a  sketch  of  him  in 
the  American  (Quarterly  Register  for  the  year  1837,  vol.  10, 
p.  143 :— 


24  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

"  The  good  of  his  people  and  the  glory  of  God  were  the 
all-absorbing  objects  which  occupied  his  whole  soul.  *  *  * 
Though  endeared  to  his  family,  friends,  and  society,  death 
checked  the  career  of  his  extensive  usefulness  in  the  midst 
of  his  days.  *  *  *  He  possessed  that  independence  and 
moral  courage,  that  he  was  not  afraid,  nor  ashamed,  to  go 
wherever  his  duty  called.  Rarely  occurs  an  occasion,  where 
deeper  sympathy  and  mourning  were  manifested,  than  when 
the  solemn  group  consigned  his  mortal  remains  to  the  tomb." 

He  was  one  of  three  brothers  who  were  ministers  of  the 
Gospel,  sons  of  Hon.  Elijah  Paine,  of  Ashfield, — notices  of 
whom  here  follow. 

7.  Rev.  John  C.  Paine  was  born  in  Ashfield,  Jan.  29, 
1806 ;  never  received  a  collegiate  education ;  pursued  clas- 
sical studies  at  Andover,  and  Meriden,  N.  H.  ;  received  the 
honorary  degree  of  A.  M.,  from  Amherst,  in  1843 ;  studied 
theology  at  Princeton,  N.  J.,  and  Andover;  was  settled  at 
Rehoboth,  June  6,  1837,  and  Rev.  William  P.  Paine  preached 
on  the  occasion ;  was  dismissed  from  Rehoboth,  April  5,  1847; 
was  installed  in  Gardner,  Jan.  12,  1848,  and  Rev.  William 
P.  Paine  preached  the  sermon ;  and  he  still  remains  pastor 
at  Gardner. 

8.  Rev.  William  P.  Paine  was  born  in  Ashfield,  Aug.  1, 
1802  ;  graduated  at  Amherst  in  1827 ;  was  a  tutor  two  years 
in  Amherst ;  finished  his  theological  course  at  Andover  in 
1832;  was  ordained  in  Holden,  Oct.  24,  1833,  and  Rev. 
Elijah  Paine  preached  the  ordination  sermon.  He  is  still  a 
pastor  in  Holden. 

9.  Mr.  Melzar  Parker  was  born  in  Ashfield,  Nov.  7, 
1815 ;  removed  from  there  when  five  years  old ;  returned 
when  eighteen  years  old,  and  lived  there  for  some  time,  and 
afterwards  lived  in  Hamilton  County,  N.  Y. ;  graduated  at 
Amherst  in  1838 ;  finished  a  course  of  theological  study  at 
East  Windsor  Hill  in  1842 ;  was  licensed  in  1841,  for  four 
years,  by  the  Windham  County  Association,  at  Woodstock, 
Ct. ;  and  in  1845  his  license  was  renewed  for  four  years,  at 


OFASHFIELD.  25 

Killingly,  Ct.,  by  the  same  Association.  Mr.  Parker  never 
was  ordained,  and  when  his  last  license  expired,  he  ceased 
to  preach.  In  1843,  he  went,  under  the  patronage  of  the 
Sabbath  School  in  Dr.  Todd's  society  in  Pittsfield,  as  a  mis- 
sionary to  Long  Lake,  N.  Y.,  and  spent  eighteen  months  in 
that  vicinity.  Notices  of  this  mission  of  Mr.  Parker  may 
be  found  in  the  New  York  Observer,  and  Evangelist,  and 
Tribune.  Mr.  Parker  afterwards  preached  at  Elizabethtown^ 
N.  Y.,  and  Oriskany,  N.  Y.  He  removed  to  Wisconsin  in 
1850,  and  has  held  the  offices  of  justice  of  the  peace  and 
town  supervisor.  He  now  resides  at  Weyauwega,  Wapacca 
County,  Wisconsin. 

10.  Rev.  Samuel  Parker  was  born  in  Ashfield,  April  23, 
1779 ;  graduated  at  Williams  in  1806 ;  studied  theology  with 
Dr.  Packard,  of  Shelburne,  and  was  licensed  by  Hampshire 
Association,  in  October,  1808 ;  finished  a  course  of  theological 
study  at  Andover  in  1810 ;  was  employed  as  a  missionary 
several  years  in  Steuben  and  Alleghany  Counties,  N.  Y. ;  was 
ordained  as  pastor  at  Danby,  N.  Y.,  Dec.  24,  1812,  and  Rev. 
Hezekiah  Woodruff,  of  Aurora,  preached  on  the  occasion, 
and  the  services  were  held  in  a  barn ;  relinquished  his  labors 
in  Danby  in  1826  ;  acted  as  an  agent  for  Auburn  Seminary 
for  a  time  ;  was  settled  in  Fabius,  N.  Y.,  in  1828 ;  was  dis- 
missed from  Fabius  in  May,  1831 ;  installed  at  Middlefield, 
Mass.,  July  11,  1832,  and  was  dismissed  from  there  May  23, 
1833  ;  started  in  1835,  under  the  American  Board,  on  an  ex- 
ploring tour  through  Oregon,  and  returned  by  the  Sandwich 
Islands,  in  the  spring  of  1837,  and  published  an  account  of 
his  tour,  in  a  volume  of  some  370  pages.  In  reference  to 
this  journey,  Mr.  Parker  says  in  a  letter  to  the  author  of  this 
work :  "  I  crossed  the  continent  by  land,  explored  various 
parts  of  the  Oregon  country,  from  the  head  waters  of  the 
Columbia  River  to  the  Pacific  Ocean.  I  lived  on  game, 
having  no  bread  or  substitute  for  bread,  about  five  months ; 
slept  on  the  ground  about  seven  months ;  several  times  I 
was  in  such  dangers,  that  I  did  not  expect  to  live  from  one 
4 


26  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

five  minutes  to  another,  and  yet  I  was  not  conscious  at  any 
time  of  having  any  regret  for  having  engaged  in  the  enter- 
prise. I  found  the  Indians  friendly,  and  anxious  to  learn  the 
way  to  be  saved." 

Mr.  Parker  has  since  labored  in  behalf  of  the  Bible  Soci- 
ety, and  preached  in  various  places.  In  a  state  of  infirm 
health,  he  now  resides  in  Ithaca,  N.  Y.  He  has  two  sons, 
who  are  ministers,  viz.,  Rev.  Samuel  Parker,  Jr.,  and  Rev. 
Henry  W.  Parker  pastor  of  Bedford  church,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

11.  Rev.  Charles  S.  Porter  was  born  in  Ashfield,  Dec.  9, 
1803 ;  is  a  grandson  of  Rev.  Nehemiah  Porter ;  graduated 
at  Amherst  in  1827 ;  finished  the  theological  course  at  An- 
dover  in  1831  ;  defrayed,  by  his  own  earnings,  the  entire  ex- 
pense of  his  education,  board,  clothing  and  tuition,  through 
his  academical,  collegiate,  and  professional  course,  except 
his  board  at  home  while  preparing  for  college  ;  was  ordained 
pastor  at  Gloucester,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Dr.  Beecher ; 
dismissed  from  Gloucester  in  May,  1835 ;  installed  over  the 
Second  Avenue  Church,  New  York,  about  1835,  and  the  ser- 
mon was  by  Dr.  William  Adams  ;  dismissed  from  New  York 
in  November,  1841 ;  installed  at  Utica,  N.  Y.,  March  23,  1842, 
and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Dr.  Lansing ;  dismissed  from 
Utica  in  November,  1844 ;  installed  at  Plymouth,  May  25, 
1845,  and  tiie  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Edward  N.  Kirk ;  dis- 
missed from  there  Feb.  1,  1854 ;  and  was  installed  pastor 
of  the  Phillips  Church,  South  Boston,  Feb.  22,  1854. 

12.*  Rev.  Freeman  Scars  was  born  in  Harwich,  Nov.  28, 
1779,  and  with  his  parents  removed  to  Ashfield,  at  the  age 
of  seventeen  years  ;  graduated  at  Williams  in  1804  ;  studied 
theology  with  Dr.  Austin  of  Worcester,  and  Dr.  Packard  of 
Shelburne ;  was  licensed  by  Franklin  Association,  April  10, 
18C5  ;  preached  at  Rowe,  and  was  invited  to  settle  there  ; 
v.-as  ordained  at  Natick,  Jan.  1,  1806,  and  Dr.  Kellogg,  of 
Framingham,  preached  on  the  occasion;  in  December,  1810, 
went  to  Savannah,  Geo.,  for  the  recovery  of  his  health,  and 
returned  June  2,  1811,  in  a  low  and  declining  state,  and  died 


OFASHFIELD.  27 

June  30,  1811,  in  his  thirty-third  year.  Rev.  Dr.  Bates, 
of  Dedham,  preached  his  funeral  sermon.  Rev.  Stephen 
Pahiier,  in  an  occasional  sermon  preached  at  Needham, 
March  22,  1812,  says  of  Mr.  Sears:  "His  talents  were  re- 
spectable ;  his  elocution  was  pleasing ;  and,  from  early  life, 
he  was  exemplary  and  distinguished  for  piety."  Bigelow, 
in  his  History  of  Natick,  says  of  him  :  "  From  the  acquaint- 
ance which  the  compiler  had  with  Mr.  Sears,  he  judged  him 
to  be  a  Calvinist  of  the  Doddridge  school ;  blessed  by  the 
Author  of  every  good  gift  with  too  much  good  sense  to  be 
an  enthusiast,  and  with  too  much  good  nature  to  be  a  bigot." 
He  published  an  oration  delivered  on  the  4th  of  July,  and 
a  letter  written  to  his  people  while  in  Georgia.  From  that 
kind  and  affecting  letter,  the  following  is  an  extract : — "  On 
a  critical  and  prayerful  review  of  my  ministerial  labors  among 
you,  I  find  myself  in  many  respects  deficient ;  not  that  I  regret 
the  plainness  of  my  preaching,  nor  the  doctrines  that  I  so  fre- 
quently inculcated ;  these,  together  with  the  threatenings 
denounced  against  the  ungodly,  and  the  comforting  of  saints, 
afford  me  pleasure  to  reflect  upon.  I  do  not  think  of  any 
doctrine  that  I  have  advanced  among  you,  that  I  am  not 
willing  to  seal  with  my  death.  I  must  therefore  solemnly 
exhort  you  to  continue  unshaken  in  all  the  great  and  glori- 
ous doctrines  of  grace."  Rev.  Elias  Nason,  the  present 
pastor  at  Natick,  says  of  Mr.  Sears,  "He  was  much  esteemed 
by  his  people ;  and  though  his  ministerial  course  was  very 
brief,  nevertheless  it  was  attended  by  the  Spirit  and  the  bless- 
ing of  the  Lord.  He  died  triumphant  in  the  faith."  The  fol- 
lowing is  the  epitaph  on  his  gravestone  at  Natick,  viz. :  "His 
bereaved  flock,  from  sentiments  of  gratitude  and  respect,  con- 
secrate this  stone  to  his  memory  : — 

"  To  us  his  flock  his  death  doth  speak ; 
Be  Avise  in  time ;  your  Saviour  seek ; 
He  loves  his  own ;  he  makes  them  blest ; 
They  die  in  peace ;  in  heaven  they  rest." 


28  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

13.*  Rev.  Oliver  M.  Sears  was  born  in  Ashfield,  Nov.  29, 
1818  ;  graduated  at  Williams  in  1842  ;  finished  his  theolog- 
ical course  at  East  Windsor  Hill  in  1846  ;  preached  a  year 
at  Chesterfield  ;  was  ordained  pastor  at  Dalton,  Sept.  29, 
1847,  and  Rev.  Samuel  Harris,  of  Pittsfield,  preached  the 
ordination  sermon.  Mr.  Sears  died  while  a  pastor  at  Dalton, 
Sept.  29,  1853,  aged  35.  The  following  extracts  are  from 
an  obituary  notice  of  him,  published  in  the  Puritan  Recorder, 
in  October,  1853  :— 

"  Rev.  O.  M.  Sears,  pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church 
in  Dalton,  died  on  Thursday,  September  29,  1853,  the  an- 
niversary of  his  ordination  six  years  before.  His  sickness 
was  a  violent  dysentery,  of  so  short  continuance  that  he  rode 
to  Pittsfield  on  the  Saturday  before  his  death. 

"  His  funeral  was  attended  on  Monday,  Oct.  3.  Prayers 
were  offered  at  the  parsonage  by  Rev.  P.  K.  Clark,  of  Hins- 
dale, and  at  the  church  by  Rev.  J.  Knight,  of  Peru,  and  Rev. 
J.  Todd,  D.  D.,  of  Pittsfield.  The  sermon  was  preached  by 
Rev.  S.  Harris,  of  Pittsfield,  from  Philippians  i.  21,  '  For 
me  to  live,  is  Christ,  and  to  die,  is  gain.'  The  house  was 
crowded ;  and  there  were  few  of  the  throng  who  were  not 
sincere  mourners.  *  *  * 

"  He  was  a  modest  and  lovely  man,  a  christian  eminently 
humble,  a  firm  and  affectionate  friend,  a  sound  theologian, 
an  able  preacher,  a  laborious,  sympathizing  and  successful 
pastor.  He  was  beloved  by  his  whole  people  with  remarka- 
ble unanimity  and  cordiality.  His  death  is  felt  as  a  severe 
loss,  not  only  by  his  family  and  his  congregation,  but  by  all 
the  associated  ministers  and  churches. 

"  The  violence  of  his  sickness  was  so  great  that  he  could 
say  but  little.  But  he  was  sustained  by  the  doctrines  which 
he  had  preached,  and  experienced  largely  those  consolations 
of  the  gospel  which  at  the  bed  of  death  he  had  so  often  of- 
fered to  others.  His  sickness  and  death  were  marked  by 
patient  submission,  intelligent  faith,  and  heavenly  calm- 
ness and  peace." 


OF     ASHFIELD, 


2?^. 


The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  obituary  notice  of 
him  published  in  the  New  York  Observer,  of  Oct.  20,  1853  : 
"  In  the  field  of  labor,  from  which  he  has  been  called,  he  early 
won  the  confidence  of  his  people,  and  of  his  brethren  in  the 
ministry,  as  a  man  of  warm  and  large-hearted  piety,  a  thor- 
ough scholar,  a  sound  theologian,  an  acceptable  preacher,  a 
wise,  judicious  and  faithful  pastor,  and  reliable  on  all  occa- 
sions ;  and  it  is  not  too  much  to  say,  that  he  continued  to 
grow  in  their  confidence  and  afi"ectionate  regards  to  the  last. 
His  end  was  such  as  might  have  been  expected  from  the 
man — he  went  down  into  the  valley,  having  a  calm  trust  in 
His  Saviour,  serenity,  and  peace,  and  joy  of  soul."  "  The 
tears  of  a  sorrow-stricken  people  attested  their  warm  attach- 
ment to  their  now  deceased  pastor.  Besides  those  thus  be- 
reaved, Mr.  Sears  leaves  in  their  loneliness  an  afflicted  widow 
and  two  little  daughters  to  mourn  his  loss." 

14.*  Rev.  Preserved  Smith.  See  the  account  of  him,  in 
the  account  given  of  the  Pastors  in  Rowe. 

15.  Rev.  Prestoti  Taylor  was  born  in  Ash  field,  Nov.  28, 
1793  ;  in  1815  was  married  and  moved  to  Goshen  ;  without 
a  collegiate  education  began  the  study  of  theology  in  prepa- 
ration for  the  ministry,  and,  in  1824,  pursued  his  studies 
with  Rev.  Walter  Chapin,  of  Woodstock,  Vt.,  and  with  Rev. 
Rufus  Nutting,  of  Randolph  Academy,  in  Randolph,  Vt.  ; 
was  licensed  Feb.  8,  1825,  by  the  Royalton  Association,  Vt.  ; 
preached  at  Bridgewater,  Vt.,  from  1825  to  1830  ;  was  or- 
dained as  an  Evangelist  at  Barnard,  Vt.,  Feb.  8,  1826,  and 
the  sermon  on  the  occasion  was  by  Rev.  Ammi  Nickels,  of 
Braintree,  Vt.  ;  installed  as  pastor  in  Barnard,  Vt.,  Nov.  3, 
1830,  and  the  installing  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Thomas 
Shepard  ;  dismissed  from  Barnard,  Nov.  4,  1834  ;  installed 
as  pastor  in  the  West  Parish,  Westminster,  Vt.,  April  1,  1835, 
and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Charles  Walker,  D.  D.  ;  dis- 
missed from  Westminster,  Nov.  9,  1836  ;  installed  as  pastor 
at  Strafford,  Vt.,  and  the  sermon  Avas  by  Rev.  Phineas  Cook  ; 
dismissed  from  Strafford,  Nov.  20,  1838 ;  installed  at  Waits- 


30  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

field,  Vt.,  Jan.  23,  1839,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Dr. 
Wheeler  ;  dismissed  from  Waitsfield,  Aug.  10,  1842  ;  sup- 
plied three  years  in  East  Berkshire,  Vt.  ;  since  1845  has  sup- 
plied in  Sheldon,  Yt.,  where  he  still  resides.  He  received 
the  honorary  degree  of  A.  M.  from  Middlebury,  in  1850,  and 
was  a  county  judge  for  Franklin  County,  Vt.,  in  1852  and 
1853. 

16.  Rev.  Morris  E.  White  was  born  in  Ashfield,  April  27, 
1803  ;  graduated  at  Dartmouth  in  1828  ;  finished  the  theo- 
logical course  at  Andover  in  1831 ;  preached  in  West  New- 
bury, Greenfield,  and  North  Adams,  from  the  first  and  last 
of  which  places  he  received  invitations  to  settle  ;  was  or- 
dained in  Southampton  as  pastor,  June  20,  1832,  and  the 
sermon  was  preached  by  Dr.  John  Brown,  of  Hadley ;  a 
council  met  to  dismiss  him  from  Southampton,  Dec.  22, 
1852,  and  the  dismission  took  eff'ect  Jan.  1,  1853.  Mr. 
White  now  resides  in  Northampton. 

17.  Rev.  Francis  Williams  was  born  in  Ashfield,  Jan.  2, 
1814;  living  nearer  meeting  in  Buckland,  he  attended  there, 
and  united  with  the  church  when  fourteen  years  of  age  ; 
graduated  at  Williams  in  1838  ;  finished  the  theological 
course  at  East  Windsor  Hill  Seminary  in  1841 ;  was  installed 
as  pastor  in  Eastford,  which  is  a  parish  in  Ashford,  Ct., 
Sept.  20,  1841,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Bennett  Tyler  preached  on  the 
occasion ;  was  dismissed  from  there  in  1851  ;  was  installed 
as  pastor  in  Bloomfield,  Ct.,  Dec.  31,  1851,  and  Rev.  Dr. 
Milton  Badger,  of  New  York,  preached  on  the  occasion. 
Several  sermons  of  Mr.  Williams  have,  by  request,  been  pub- 
lished.    He  is  still  a  pastor  in  Bloomfield. 

A  larger  number  of  Congregational  Preachers  have  origi- 
nated from  Ashfield  than  from  any  other  town  in  the  coun- 
ty. Of  the  seventeen  preachers  reckoned  as  sons  of  Ashfield, 
sixteen  were  born  in  Ashfield  ;  thirteen  were  graduates  ; 
sixteen  have  been  ordained  ;  two  have  relinquished  preach- 
ing, viz.,  Mr.  Melzar  Parker  and  Rev.  Anson  Dyer  ;  one 
was  the  son  of  a  Baptist  minister,  and  left  the  Orthodox 


OF     ASHFIELD.  31 

Congregational  ministry  and  became  a  Unitarian  minister, 
viz.,  Rev.  Preserved  Smith;  one  became  a  Methodist  minis- 
ter ;  two  had  sons  in  the  ministry,  viz..  Rev.  Preserved 
Smith  and  Rev.  Samuel  Parker  ;  and  thirteen  are  now- 
living. 

Rev.  Lebbeus  R.  Phillips  was  born  in  Ashfield,  but  as  he 
early  removed  to  Buckland,  and  continued  to  live  there  till 
manhood,  he  has  been  reckoned  as  a  son  of  that  town.  Rev. 
Oliver  A.  Taylor  lived  about  two  years  in  Ashfield,  in  early 
life,  before  he  removed  to  Hawley. 

OTHER    DENOMINATIONS. 

Baptists.  The  first  Baptist  church  in  Ashfield,  the  sect 
being  called  at  first  "  Separatists,"  Avas  formed  July  2,  1761, 
with  ten  members  ;  in  1853  it  had  forty-eight  members. 
From  1787  to  1798  this  church  was  divided  into  two  bodies, 
and  Revs.  Chileab  Smith  and  Enos  Smith  were  ordained 
over  one  of  the  divisions.  Among  the  preachers  who  have 
supplied  the  first  Baptist  church  are  the  following,  viz., 
Revs.  Ebenezer  Smith,  Enos  Smith,  Dana  Brown  ordained 
Aug.  25,  1836  ;  Edward  Hale,  William  Norris  installed  Aug. 
31,  1842  ;  A.  B.  Eggleston,  George  Stearns,  and  Mr.  S.  H. 
Amsden  in  1853.  A  second  Baptist  church  was  formed 
June  3,  1830,  and,  about  1841,  ceased  to  maintain  its  organi- 
zation. They  were  supplied  by  Revs.  Orra  Martin  and 
Josiah  Loomis.  The  following  Baptist  preachers  originated 
from  Ashfield,  viz..  Revs.  John  Alden,  John  Alden,  Jr., 
David  Alden,  Adiel  Harvey,  and  Jesse  Hartwell. 

Episcopalians.  The  Episcopal  parish  or  church  in  Ash- 
field was  organized  June  15,  1820.  The  following  preachers 
have  supplied  it,  viz..  Rev.  Dr.  Titus  Strong,  Rev.  Lot  Jones, 
Rev.  William  Withington,  Rev.  Silas  Blaisdale,  Rev.  Jacob 
Piersnn,  Rev.  Joseph  A.  Stone,  Rev.  Benjamin  Austin,  and 
Rev.  Charles  Cleaveland  in  1853. 

Methodists.  The  Methodist  church  in  Ashfield  was 
formed  probably  about  1830.     It  has  been  supplied  by  Revs. 


32  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

Asa  Niles,  George  W.  Green,  John  Caldwell,  Samuel  Heath, 
Henry  S.  Shed,  and  A.  S.  Flagg  in  1853.  The  following 
Methodist  ministers  originated  from  Ashfield,  viz..  Revs. 
John  Cross,  who  was  once  a  Congregational  preacher,  but 
united  with  the  Wesleyan  Methodists  in  1846 ;  Hart  F. 
Pease,  who  has  been,  and  now  is,  so  successfully  employed 
in  doing  good  at  the  place  called  the  Five  Points,  in  New 
York  city,  and  Elijah  Ward. 

Universalists.  The  Universalist  society  was  formed 
Dec.  11,  1841.  It  has  been  supplied  by  Revs.  A.  W.  Mason, 
Hosea  F.  Ballou,  Earl  Guilford,  J.  A.  Kinney,  and  J.  Gifford 
in  1853.  Two  Universalist  preachers,  viz.,  Revs.  Earl 
Guilford  and  Barnabas  Hall,  originated  from  Ashfield. 

Unitarians.  One  Orthodox  Congregational  minister,  who 
originated  from  Ashfield,  became  a  Unitarian  minister,  viz., 
Rev.  Preserved  Smith. 

Summary  of  Preachers  who  originated  from  Ashfield  : 
Orthodox  Congregationalists,  17  ;  Baptists,  5 ;  Methodists,  3  ; 
Universalists,  2  ;  Unitarians,  1.     Total,  28. 

BERNARDS  TON. 

A  tract  of  land  six  miles  square,  including  what  is  now 
Bernardston,  Leyden,  and  a  part  of  Coleraine,  was  granted, 
in  1735  or  1736,  to  the  officers  and  soldiers  who  were  in  the 
Fall  Fight  at  Turner's  Falls,  in  Gill,  in  1676.  From  the 
fact  that  this  battle  was  fought  at  the  Falls,  the  town,  for 
twenty  years,  was  called  Fall  Town.  The  original  proprie- 
tors were  ninety-nine.  The  town  began  to  be  settled  in 
1738.  The  first  four  houses  were  built  of  hewn  logs,  with 
port  holes  through  the  sides,  and  served  as  forts  for  protec- 
tion against  the  Indians.  The  town  was  incorporated  March 
6,  1762,  and  called  Bernardston,  in  honor  of  Governor  Ber- 
nard. Provincial  Governor  of  Massachusetts.  The  population 
of  the  town  in  1850  was  937.  Five  churches  have  been 
organized  among  the  people  of  this  place,  viz.,  one  Congre- 


OFBERNARDSTON.  33 

gational  that  has  become  Unitarian,  one  Orthodox  Congre- 
gational, one  Methodist,  and  two  Baptist,  and  a  Universalist 
society. 

ORTHODOX    CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

First  Church.  The  first  Congregational  church  in  town 
was  formed  in  Deerfield,  Nov.  25,  1741,  and  was  originally, 
and  for  a  long  period,  of  an  Orthodox  character,  but,  in  the 
early  part  of  the  present  century,  became  Unitarian.  The 
first  Meeting-house  was  built  about  1740,  on  Huckle  Hill, 
and  it  was  "  Voted,  that  a  committee  be  chosen  to  cut  the 
brush  and  burn  them,  ten  rods  round  the  Meeting-house." 
In  1772  the  house  was  removed,  and  the  location  decided  by 
a  committee  from  abroad.  In  1791  it  was  again  removed. 
In  1823  it  was  removed  to  the  present  location,  and  was  re- 
built in  1824,  and  repaired  in  1850.  This  church,  previous 
to  its  becoming  Unitarian,  had  three  pastors. 

Pastors.  1.*  Rev.  John  Norton  was  the  first  pastor,  and 
was  ordained  as  pastor  of  the  church  at  its  organization  in 
Deerfield,  Nov.  25,  1741,  and  Rev.  Jonathan  Ashley,  of 
Deerfield,  preached  on  the  occasion  ;  the  sermon  was  pub- 
lished, and  is  in  the  library  of  the  Antiquarian  Society  at 
Worcester.  He  was  dismissed  about  1745.  Mr.  Norton  was 
chaplain  at  Massachusetts  Port,  in  Adams,  when  it  was  taken, 
in  August,  1746,  by  an  army  of  900  French  and  Indians, 
under  Gen.  De  Vaudreuil.  Mr.  Norton  was  taken  and  car- 
ried into  captivity,  and  wrote  an  account  of  the  captivity, 
which  was  published.  He  was  settled  as  pastor  of  East 
Hampton,  a  parish  in  Chatham,  Ct.,  Nov.  30,  1748,  and  died, 
while  a  pastor  there,  with  the  small  pox,  March  24,  1778, 
aged  62.  He  was  born  in  Berlin,  Ct.,  in  1716,  and  gradu- 
ated at  Yale  in  1737.  Mr.  Norton  was  dismissed  from  Ber- 
nardston  by  request  of  the  people,  "  on  account  of  the  un- 
settled state  of  the  times."  His  ministry  in  Bernardston 
was  about  four  years. 

2.*  Rev.  Job  Wright  was  settled  as  pastor  in  July,  1761. 
He  originated  from  Easthampton  ;  was  born  in  1738  ;  grad- 
5 


34  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

uated  at  Yale  in  1757  ;  lived  in  Bernardston  after  his  dismis- 
sion, March  13,  1782,  till  his  death.  He  was  dismissed  at 
his  own  request,  on  account  of  the  scarcity  of  money,  and 
was  allowed  freedom  from  taxation  in  the  town  for  five  years, 
and  the  usual  privileges  of  settled  ministers. 

The  following  notice  from  Hon.  H.  W.  Cushman,  was 
published  in  the  Greenfield  Mercury,  Nov.  16,  1833,  viz.  : 
"  Mr.  Wright  was  a  gentleman  of  an  ingenious,  sound,  and 
discriminating  mind,  enriched  by  habits  of  studious  research. 
His  piety  was  exemplary  and  ardent,  and  his  qualities  in  the 
circle  of  domestic  and  social  life  endearing.  His  mind  was 
quick,  and  his  judgment  rapid,  in  the  attainment  of  its  object. 
In  his  politics,  and  he  devoted  considerable  attention  to  the 
subject,  Mr.  Wright  was  ever  a  firm  friend  of  liberty  and 
equal  rights.  During  the  revolutionary  war,  he  was  a  whig 
in  heart  and  in  deed.  He  was  several  times  a  candidate,  but 
never  elected,  for  the  office  of  senator  in  the  Legislature  of 
ihis  State  ;  received  a  commission  of  a  justice  of  the  peace, 
and  filled  repeatedly  several  civil  offices  in  town.  Mr. 
Wright  never  engaged  in  controversies  upon  theological  sub- 
jects, believing,  as  many  others  do,  that  but  little  good  results 
from  it,  and  that  we  ought  to  devote  our  whole  attention  to 
the  practice  of  the  religion  we  profess.  As  a  preacher  of  the 
gospel,  his  sermons  were  chaste  and  instructive  j  as  a  man, 
he  was  kind  and  affectionate  ;  and  as  a  christian,  he  exem- 
plified the  doctrines  of  the  Bible  in  a  high  degree  of  perfec- 
tion." 

The  following  notice  of  Mr.  Wright  is  from  the  pen  of 
Hon.  S.  C.  Allen,  and  was  published  in  the  Greenfield 
Mercury,  Nov.  16,  1833,  viz. :  "I  loved  Mr.  Wright  for  the 
simplicity  of  his  manners,  and  his  high  intellectual  attain- 
ments, combined  in  so  great  a  degree  with  the  christian 
character  and  conduct.  It  always  aff'orded  nie  a  feast  to 
hear  that  good  old  man  converse.  He  was  very  sociable, 
and  his  mind  was  well  stored  with  correct  and  useful  ideas 
of  men  and  things,  which  he  communicated  to  others  with 


OF     BERNARDSTON.  35 

a  great  deal  of  ease  and  pleasure.  The  talents  and  useful- 
ness of  Mr.  Wright  were  much  underrated  by  his  cotempora- 
ries,  the  inhabitants  of  Bernardston." 

Mr.  Wright  died  in  Bernardston,  Jan.  24,  1823,  aged  85. 
The  following  obituary  notice  of  him  is  from  the  Franklin 
Herald,  Greenfield,  Mass.,  of  Feb.  4,  1823:  "At  an  early 
age  he  received  the  honors  of  Yale  College,  and  soon 
after  settled  in  the  ministry  at  Bernardston.  Here  he 
continued  serving  God  in  the  gospel  of  his  Son  more  than 
twenty  years,  when,  circumstances  rendering  it  expedient  in 
his  view  to  request  a  dissolution  of  the  pastoral  connection, 
he  was  honorably  dismissed  by  an  ecclesiastical  council. 
From  this  period  he  chose  retirement,  and,  to  the  end  of  life, 
sustained  a  consistent  and  irreproachable  character.  He  was 
a  man  of  quick  apprehension  and  strong  powers  of  mind. 
Courteous,  affable,  and  instructive,  none  could  fail  to  be 
pleased  with  his  society.  To  his  family  and  particular 
friends  he  was  greatly  endeared.  His  religion  was  of  a  pure 
and  elevated  character,  and  he  ardently  wished  the  diffusion 
of  the  spirit  of  the  gospel.  To  him  it  would  have  been 
cause  of  great  joy  to  see  a  union  of  all  who  are  in  pursuit  of 
virtue,  holiness,  and  heaven.  During  a  long  and  distressing 
sickness,  his  faith  and  charity  did  not  fail.  Though  he  de- 
sired to  depart  and  be  with  Christ,  he  prayed  for  patience, 
and,  by  divine  grace,  was  enabled  to  wait  with  patience  his 
appointed  time."  His  ministry  in  Bernardston  was  about 
twenty-one  years. 

3.*  Rev,  Amasa  Cook  was  settled  as  pastor,  as  appears  by 
the  letters  missive  convening  the  ordaining  council,  Nov.  12, 
1783,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Hopkins,  of  Hadley,  preached  the  ser- 
mon. He  was  born  in  Hadley  in  1750  ;  graduated  at  Brown 
in  1776  ;  studied  theology  with  Rev.  Dr.  Hopkins,  of  Had- 
ley ;  was  licensed  Aug.  2,  1780,  by  Hampshire  Association ; 
preached  for  a  time  at  Rowe,  before  his  settlement  in  Ber- 
nardston ;  was  dismissed  from  his  charge  in  B.,  after  a  min- 
istry of  about  twenty-two  years,  in  May,  1805,  on  account 


36  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

of  difficulties  relative  to  his  moral  character  and  conduct. 
Hon.  R.  E.  Newcomb  and  Hon.  G.  Bliss  were  the  advo- 
cates before  the  council  by  which  his  case  was  tried.  He 
was  never  settled  as  a  pastor  in  any  other  place,  but  lived  in 
B.  till  his  death,  and  died  there,  June  11,  1816,  in  his  66th 
year.  The  following  is  the  epitaph  on  his  gravestone,  in  the 
North  burial  yard,  in  B.,  viz. : 

"  If  all  my  life  I  tried  in  vain  to  save, 
Hear,  oh  hear  me,  speaking  from  the  grave." 

The  next  pastor  of  this  church,  after  Mr.  Cook,  was  Rev. 
Timothy  F.  Rogers,  who  was  of  the  Unitarian  denomination. 
This  church  becoming  Unitarian,  for  a  further  notice  of  it 
and  its  other  pastors,  see  the  account  of  that  denomination 
in  Bernardston.  Just  previous  to  Mr.  Rogers'  settlement, 
Rev.  Elisha  Rockwood  supplied  the  church  for  a  time. 
The  three  pastors  of  this  church,  during  its  continuance  in 
the  Orthodox  connection,  were  dismissed ;  two  of  them  died 
in  the  town  ;  and  the  average  length  of  their  pastorates  was 
about  fifteen  years  and  a  half,  and  none  of  them  are  living. 
In  the  68  years  from  the  organization  of  this  church  till  the 
settlement  of  its  first  Unitarian  pastor,  it  has  had  a  settled 
ministry  about  46  years,  and  has  been  destitute  of  the  same 
about  22  years. 

Second  Church.  The  second  Congregational  church  was 
organized  Jan.  13,  1824,  with  fifteen  members.  The  most 
of  this  number  were  members  of  the  first  Congregational 
church,  and  withdrew  from  it  after  it  became  Unitarian. 
Two  Meeting-houses  have  been  built  by  this  church  and 
society  ;  the  first  was  erected  in  1831,  chiefly  at  the  expense 
of  Hon.  Job  Goodale ;  the  second  was  built  on  the  site  of 
the  first,  in  1846.  Previous  to  the  erection  of  their  first 
house  of  worship,  this  church  held  their  meetings  in  the 
Baptist  house  of  worship,  for  a  considerable  period — the  two 
denominations  occupying  the  house  alternate  sabbaths.    Two 


OF     BERN  ARDSTON, 


37 


revivals  have  been  enjoyed  ;  one  in  1841,  and  forty-one  were 
admitted  to  the  chnrch  during  the  year ;  one  in  1852,  and 
eleven  were  added.  In  1839  an  accession  was  made  to  the 
church  of  members  from  Gill.  No  council  has  ever  been 
called  to  settle  difficulties  in  this  church.  A  council  was 
called,  April  18,  1849,  to  grant  the  request  of  the  pastor  for 
a  dismission,  but  they  refused  to  do  it.  The  amount  con- 
tributed to  the  cause  of  benevolence  in  1853  was  |190  52. 
The  number  in  the  Sabbath  School  in  1852  was  65.  In 
1853  the  church  numbered  63.  This  church  hasreceived 
missionary  aid  for  thirteen  years,  amounting  to  $1,170. 
Previous  to  the  settlement  of  its  first  pastor,  it  was  supplied, 
among  others,  by  Revs.  Samuel  Taggart,  Ezekiel  Rich, 
AVilliam  K.  Talbot,  Aretas  Loomis,  Dr.  Packard,  T.  Packard, 
Jr.,  and  Joseph  Haven.  This  church  has  existed  about  30 
years,  and  has  had  a  settled  ministry  about  18  years,  and 
been  destitute  of  the  same  about  12  years.  This  church  has 
had  four  pastors. 

Pastors.  1.*  Rev.  Vinson  Gould  was  installed  pastor 
Oct.  30,  1833,  and  the  sermon  on  the  occasion  was  by  Rev. 
Artemas  Boise.  He  was  born  in  Sharon,  Ct.,  1771 ;  gradu- 
ated at  Williams  in  1797  ;  was  a  tutor  two  years  at  Wil- 
liams ;  studied  divinity  with  Dr.  Backus,  of  Somers,  Ct., 
and  was  settled  at  Southampton  Aug.  21,  1801,  and  Dr. 
Backus  preached  on  the  occasion  ;  dismissed  from  South- 
ampton Jan.  5,  1832  ;  in  1804,  during  his  pastorate  at  S., 
he  performed  a  mission  in  Maine  of  twenty  weeks  ;  dismissed 
from  Bernardston  Dec.  21,  1836  ;  afterwards  lived  in  South- 
ampton. While  a  pastor  in  S.,  about  thirty  young  men  from 
the  town  received  a  collegiate  education,  and  became  min- 
isters of  the  gospel,  chiefly  through  his  influence.  His  wife, 
the  daughter  of  Dr.  Sylvester  Woodbridge,  of  S.,  died  in  1837. 
One  of  his  daughters  married  Rev.  Alexander  McClure.  Mr. 
Gould  died  at  Southampton  April  4,  1841,  aged  68.  His 
ministry  in  Bernardston  was  about  three  years.  The  follow- 
ing obituary  account  of  Mr.  Gould  was  prepared  by  the  late 


38  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

Rev.  Dr.  Bela  B.  Edwards,  and  was  published  in  the  Boston 
Recorder : — 

"  Vinson  Gould  was  born  in  Sharon,  Litchfield  County, 
Ct.,  on  the  first  of  August,  1773.  He  was  the  eldest  son  of 
a  large  and  highly  respectable  family.  His  youngest  brother, 
Rev.  Wm.  R.  Gould,  is  pastor  of  a  Presbyterian  church  in 
Gallipolis,  Ohio.  His  parents  were  persons  of  intelligence 
and  of  eminent  piety.  They  lived  to  an  advanced  age,  and 
died  greatly  lamented.  Their  prayers,  and  the  remembrance 
of  their  instructions,  are  an  invaluable  legacy  to  their  chil- 
dren, and  their  children's  children.  Their  eldest  son,  when 
not  more  than  five  or  six  years  of  age,  received  religious  im- 
pressions which  were  never  erased  from  his  memory.  These 
were  occasioned  by  his  mother's  reading  to  him  the  story  of 
the  sufferings  and  death  of  Christ.  His  childhood  and  youth 
were  passed  much  as  those  of  others  of  like  age  are.  When 
he  was  between  fourteen  and  seventeen  years  of  age,  he  was 
the  subject  of  many  serious  impressions.  He  often  prayed, 
read  the  Scriptures,  and  attended  religious  meetings,  and  be- 
came very  solicitous  respecting  the  condition  of  his  soul. 
For  two  or  three  years  subsequently,  his  religious  views 
appear  to  have  been  vacillating  between  Arminianism,  Uni- 
versalism,  and  Deism.  He  read  many  books  advocating  the 
latter  doctrine,  even  down  to  Paine's  Age  of  Reason.  This, 
of  course,  caused  much  grief  to  his  anxious  friends.  His 
universalist  tendencies,  however,  were  soon  checked  by  an 
incident  which  occurred  in  his  presence.  A  number  of  his 
acquaintance,  men  of  respectability,  and  somewhat  advanced 
in  life,  and  who  were  regarded  as  Universalists,  in  conver- 
sation together,  not  only  confessed  deistic  sentiments,  but 
denied  the  existence  of  God.  The  hypocrisy  and  impiety 
of  this  course,  filled  him  with  fear  and  astonishment.  He 
left  them,  and  never  after  associated  with  any  that  were 
called  Universalists. 

"  In  the  year  1795,  Mr.  Gould  entered  the  sophomore 
class  in  Williams  College.     He  was  still  solicitous  respect- 


OF     BERNARDSTON 


39 


ing  his  salvation.  '  In  view  of  my  state  and  danger,'  he 
remarks,  'I  was  often  alone  on  my  knees  and  in  tears.  I 
used  at  times  to  think  that  there  was  no  mercy  for  me,  that 
I  was  wholly  given  up  of  God,  and  that  my  own  destruction 
was  sealed.  I  was  led  to  this  idea  by  considering  that,  not- 
withstanding all  my  cries  and  tears,  I  was  still  in  an  uncon- 
verted state.  I  thought  I  had  done  almost  as  much  as  any 
person  ever  did,  before  he  was  converted  ;  and  that  if  God 
meant  to  give  me  a  new  heart,  he  would  have  done  it  before 
this  time.  So  I  continued  through  my  college  life,  except 
that  I  changed  my  religious  sentiments  (in  respect  to  Armin- 
ianism.)  Sometimes  I  was  encouraged  to  hope  for  mercy, 
and  then  I  was  again  discouraged,  but  still  persevered  in  my 
round  of  duties.  In  my  senior  year,  I  established  the  prac- 
tice of  prayers  in  my  room  at  8  o'clock  in  the  evening,  when, 
by  invitation,  several  serious  scholars  came  in  and  took  part. 
I  had  all  along  attended  conferences  in  college  every  Satur- 
day evening,  and  now  I  sometimes  lead  in  the  exercises.  I 
did  not  consider  myself  a  christian,  though,  I  believe,  some 
others  did.'  Subsequently  he  says,  '  I  saw  that  I  was  in 
the  hands  of  a  sovereign  God,  who  had  a  right  to  do  with 
me  as  he  pleased.  In  short,  I  found  I  was  a  poor,  depraved, 
and  perishing  creature.'  These  convictions  terminated,  as 
there  is  every  reason  to  believe,  though  the  precise  time  was 
not  known,  in  personal  piety,  in  the  possession  of  that  good 
hope  which  ever  afterwards  sustained  him. 

"  In  his  literary  standing,  he  took  a  very  high  rank  in  his 
class.  Among  the  members  of  it — (ten  in  all,  the  third 
which  graduated  at  Williams  College,)  were  Asa  Burbank, 
M.  D.,  Professor  in  the  Berkshire  Medical  Institution;  the 
excellent  Rev.  Jedediah  Bushnell,  of  Cornwall,  Vt.  ,■  and 
Elijah  H.  Mills,  LL.D.,  an  eminent  Senator  in  Congress 
from  Massachusetts.  Mr.  Gould,  as  is  understood,  particu- 
larly excelled  in  the  department  of  the  languages. 

"Immediately  on  leaving  college,  September,  1797,  Mr. 
Gould  commenced  teaching  an  academy  in  his  native  town. 


40  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

At  the  end  of  thirteen  months  he  closed  his  connection  with 
it,  and  commenced  the  study  of  divinity  with  the  Rev. 
Charles  Backus,  D.  D.,  of  Somers,  Ct.,  a  minister  of  distin- 
guished piety  and  theological  attainment,  who  guided  one 
of  those  private  schools  of  divinity,  which  has  honorably  as- 
sociated his  name  with  those  of  Bellamy,  Smalley,  Hooker, 
Burton,  Emmons,  and  others. 

"  Mr.  Gould  was  licensed  to  preach  the  gospel  in  June, 
1799.  From  that  time  until  September,  he  supplied  the 
pulpit  in  New  Marlborough,  Mass.  In  October  he  took 
charge  of  a  class  in  Williams  College,  as  tutor.  Here  he  re- 
mained— highly  respected,  able  and  faithful  in  the  discharge 
of  his  duties — till  April,  1801,  Avhen  he  went  to  Southamp- 
ton, to  j)reach  as  a  candidate  for  settlement  in  the  ministry. 
He  was  ordained  on  the  21st  of  August,  1801,  as  colleague 
pastor  with  the  aged  and  venerable  Jonathan  Judd,  the  first 
minister  of  the  town.  There  was  a  singular  unanimity  in 
the  invitation  tendered  to  him,  which  was  the  more  remarka- 
ble, as  many  candidates  for  the  place  had  supplied  the  pulpit 
before  him,  and  several  parties  in  the  church  and  congrega- 
tion had  been  formed  in  consequence.  His  ordination  ser- 
mon was  preached  by  Dr.  Backus.  He  appears  to  have  en- 
tered on  his  work  in  a  spirit  of  deep  self-abasement,  and  with 
earnest  prayers  that  he  might  fulfil  the  ministry  which  he 
had  received  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  His  spiritual  fitness  for  his 
duties  was  obviously  increased  by  the  death  of  Miss  Anna 
Collins,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Collins  of  Lanesboro,'  a 
young  lady  of  great  worth  of  character,  with  whom  he  ex- 
pected to  enter  into  the  marriage  relation.  A  brief  diary, 
which  he  kept,  showed  that  her  death  made  the  deepest  im- 
pression on  his  feelings  for  a  long  time. 

"  Mr.  Gould's  ministry  continued  till  the  5th  of  January, 
1832,  a  period  of  thirty-one  years.  The  town,  containing  at 
the  time  of  his  dismission  about  1300  inhabitants,  had  all 
been  included  in  one  ecclesiastical  society.  For  almost  a 
century  from  the  settlement  of  the  place,  the  whole  popula- 


OF     BERNARDSTON.  41 

tion,  with  a  very  few  exceptions,  were  Congregationalists, 
and  cordially  attached  to  the  ministry  that  was  placed  over 
them  in  the  Lord.  The  original  settlers  were  eminently 
pious  people,  nearly  all  of  whom  received  a  dismission  from 
the  church  in  Northampton,  in  the  early  part  of  the  great 
revival  of  religion,  under  President  Edwards.  Their  chil- 
dren were  brought  up  in  the  faith  and  practice  of  the  parents, 
and,  as  a  church,  furnished  excellent  materials  for  the  pas- 
toral labors  of  their  youthful  watchman. 

"  Mr.  Gould  possessed  several  qualifications  for  his  work 
in  an  uncommon  degree. 

"  His  religious  belief  was  thoroughly  evangelical.  The 
system  of  doctrines,  commonly  called  Calvinistic,  accorded 
not  only  with  his  intellectual  convictions,  but  appeared  to 
be  identified  with  the  most  sacred  feelings  of  his  heart.  In 
fact,  his  earliest  impressions  of  religion,  the  long  struggles 
which  he  went  through  before  he  attained  the  stability  of 
the  christian  hope,  were  vitally  connected  with  the  great 
points  which  are  at  issue  between  the  Calvinist  and  the  Ar- 
minian.  He  thought  that  he  had  a  personal  and  experi- 
mental proof  that  the  creed  of  the  first  was  in  accordance 
with  the  Bible,  while  that  of  the  last  was  not.  In  his  ser- 
mons, particularly  in  the  introductory  years  of  his  ministry, 
he  gave  great  prominence  to  the  doctrines  of  total  depravity, 
the  supreme  divinity  of  our  Lord,  the  perfect  atonement  ac- 
complished by  his  sufferings  and  death,  the  absolute  and 
holy  sovereignty  of  God,  election,  the  necessity  of  regener- 
ation by  the  special  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  their 
kindred  truths.  These  great  themes  were  the  life  of  his 
preaching,  and  the  life  of  his  soul.  He  exhibited  them  fear- 
lessly in  his  sermons,  in  his  extempore  lectures,  and  in  his 
conversation.  In  revivals  of  religion,  he  did  not  disguise 
them,  lest  they  should  prove  unpalatable,  and  mar  the  work. 
He  felt  that  at  such  a  time,  they  ought  to  be  preached  with 
unwonted  earnestness.  In  the  latter  part  of  his  life,  his  in- 
terest in  them  revived.  He  steadfastly  opposed  all  specula- 
6 


42  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

tions,  which  in  his  opinion  tended  to  rob  them  of  their 
virtue,  and  to  ruin  the  souls  of  men. 

"Among  his  qualifications  for  sermonizing,  was  a  remark- 
able power  for  illustration.  Very  few  ministers  made  more 
pertinent  use  of  passing  events.  The  leading  characteristic 
of  his  mind  was  quickness  of  apprehension.  He  seized,  with 
the  rapidity  of  instinct  or  intuition,  upon  any  casual  inci- 
dent, which  could  throw  light  upon  the  subject  in  hand.  If 
he  did  not  possess  that  power  of  patient  investigation  en- 
joyed by  some,  he  appeared  to  need  it  less.  An  apt  quota- 
tion, an  unexpected  allusion,  a  vivid  description,  gave  the 
truth  which  he  handled  a  lodgment  in  the  memory  or  in  the 
affections,  which  no  exact  analysis  or  cogent  argumentation 
could  have  done.  The  attention  of  many  a  thoughtless 
hearer  was  arrested  by  a  felicitous  metaphor,  or  a  happily 
applied  providential  event. 

•'  The  trait  to  which  we  have  just  alluded,  laid  the  foun- 
dation, with  other  things,  for  an  excellent  pastoral  charac- 
ter. At  a  religious  conference  in  a  school-house,  in  conver- 
sation with  children,  in  introducing  unwelcome  topics  to 
the  irreligious,  at  the  bed  of  the  sick  and  dying,  Mr.  Gould 
was  exceedingly  apt.  He  fitted  his  remarks  with  wonderful 
skill.  A  single  observation  sometimes  sunk  like  lead  into 
the  heart  of  the  profane  scoffer,  or  the  thoughtless  sinner.  If 
there  was  an  avenue  to  the  conscience,  he  would  find  it.  If 
a  kind  of  holy  adroitness,  of  sacred  archery,  could  be  of  avail, 
it  was  at  his  command. 

"In  addition  to  this  power  of  apposite  and  vivid  illustra- 
tion, Mr.  Gould  was  endued  with  great  susceptibility  of 
emotion.  There  seemed  to  be  a  perfect  correspondence  be- 
tween the  activity  of  his  intellectual  powers  and  the  excita- 
bility of  his  feelings.  There  was  no  sluggishness  in  the 
movement  of  any  faculty.  The  ardor  of  his  passions  was 
an  admirable  auxiliary  in  his  pastoral  labors.  Few  ministers 
ever  excelled  him  in  the  chamber  of  sickness.  There  was 
no  affectation  of  sympathy ;  there  were  no  cold  words.     He 


OFBERNARDSTON,  43 

carried  a  brother's  heart  to  the  pillow  of  the  dying.  His 
sympathy  was  instant  and  most  consoling.  Some  of  the 
prayers  which  he  offered,  as  the  spirit  of  a  dear  friend  was 
departing,  will  never  be  forgotten.  He  did  not  shrink,  on 
such  occasions,  from  the  presentation  of  plain  truth.  But 
his  heart  was  full  of  tenderness,  as  the  tones  of  his  voice 
were  of  sympathy  and  love. 

"  Mr.  Gould's  success  in  the  ministry,  through  the  accom- 
panying influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  was  great.  During 
the  summer  and  autumn  of  the  year  in  which  he  was  or- 
dained, about  20  persons  entertained  a  hope  of  eternal  life, 
and  united  with  the  church.  In  the  year  1805  there  was  a 
most  signal  manifestation  of  the  grace  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 
God  then  appeared  in  his  glory  in  building  up  Zion.  About 
100  were  supposed  to  be  the  fruits  of  this  awakening. 
Eighty  were  added  to  the  church.  In  1812  and  1813,  there 
was  a  marked  attention  to  the  concerns  of  the  soul.  In  1815 
and  1816,  a  still  more  powerful  revival  of  religion  was  en- 
joyed. In  the  latter  year,  the  church  was  increased  by  an 
addition  of  46  members.  At  several  subsequent  periods,  the 
same  Divine  influence  was  conspicuously  manifest.  In  1822 
and  1823  particularly,  many  individuals  are  supposed  to  have 
commenced  a  religious  life.  In  such  favored  seasons,  Mr. 
Gould's  mode  of  dispensing  religious  truth  was  singularly 
plain  and  solemn,  and  sometimes  very  affecting.  The  num- 
ber of  members  that  united  with  the  church,  while  he  was 
pastor,  was  715. 

"  Forty-six  individuals,  natives  of  Southampton,  have  ac- 
quired a  collegiate  education.  Thirty-seven  of  these  are 
now  living,  and  thirty-two  are,  or  have  been,  ministers  of 
the  gospel.  The  question  has  often  been  asked,  why  a  small 
town,  containing  a  little  more  than  1000  inhabitants,  should 
afford  the  advantages  of  a  public  education  to  so  many  of  its 
sons  ?  In  reply,  it  may  be  said  with  truth,  that  the  principal 
cause  was  the  efficient  agency  of  Mr.  Gould.  He  made  it 
one  of  the  leading  objects  of  his  ministry.     The  youthful 


44  CHURCHES      AND     MINISTERS 

parishioner  who  had  promising  talents,  and  a  desire  to  preach 
the  gospel,  or  to  be  useful  in  some  other  profession,  he  took 
by  the  hand  and  steadily  encouraged.  If  necessary,  he  kind- 
ly removed  the  difficulties  which  might  be  felt  by  parents  and 
other  friends.  The  studies  preparatory  for  college  were,  in 
many  cases,  superintended  by  him,  or  by  his  accomplished 
lady,  and  not  seldom  as  an  entire  gratuity.  Being  himself  a 
good  classical  scholar,  he  took  a  personal  satisfaction  in  con- 
ducting the  studies  of  his  young  friends.  As  a  teacher,  he 
possessed  kindness  and  promptitude,  ever  ready  to  appreciate 
difficulties,  while  he  had  the  firmness  to  require  that  the 
pupil  should  be  master  of  his  lessons.  In  this  way,  Mr. 
Gould  exerted  an  extensive  and  very  happy  influence.  He 
was  thus  the  means,  indirectly,  of  proclaiming  the  messages 
of  life  to  thousands,  and  of  guiding  multitudes  to  the  man- 
sions of  eternal  rest.  Indeed,  the  good  accomplished  by 
him,  mediately,  was,  doubtless,  greater  than  that  which  was 
the  fruit  of  his  direct  exertions. 

"  In  this  connection,  it  may  be  stated,  that  he  gave  much 
time  and  thought  in  promoting  the  interests  of  the  common 
schools.  His  peculiar  talents  had  here  a  fine  opportunity  for 
employment.  The  ease,  the  perfect  facility,  with  which  he 
could  adapt  his  remarks  to  the  capacities  of  those  whom  he 
addressed,  have  been  acknowledged  by  all  who  were  familiar 
with  the  circumstances.  He  assisted  in  the  examination  of 
the  teachers.  He  visited  the  schools  two  or  three  times  in  a 
year,  attentively  listened  to  the  recitations,  and  made  re- 
marks and  closed  with  prayers,  to  which  the  most  heedless 
youth  could  not  but  attend.  The  same  interest  in  children 
was  manifest  in  the  annual  catechetical  instruction  which  he 
superintended.  In  the  summer  of  every  year,  nearly  all  the 
children  and  youth  in  the  place,  between  the  ages  of  six  and 
sixteen  years,  assembled  in  two  parallel  rows  in  the  aisles  of 
the  meeting-house,  and  recited  to  the  pastor,  in  the  hearing 
of  many  of  the  congregation,  in  four  or  five  successive 
Sabbaths,  the  whole  of  the  Assembly's  Shorter  Catechism. 


OFBERNARDSTON.  45 

The  considerateness  with  which  Mr.  Gould  put  the  more  dif- 
ficult questions  to  the  trembling  catechumen,  so  that  he 
might  not  miss,  will  long  be  remembered.  Well  would  it 
be  for  our  churches  if  this  venerable  compend  were  still 
taught  in  the  same  manner. 

"  The  more  general  interests  of  philanthropy  and  benevo- 
lence were  promoted  by  Mr.  Gould  in  an  effectual  manner. 
Early  in  his  ministry,  he  labored  for  some  months  with  good 
success  as  a  missionary  in  the  destitute  portions  of  Maine. 
When  it  was  proposed  to  remove  Williams  College  to  North- 
ampton, Mr.  Gould  acted  jvith  gratifymg  success  as  an  agent 
in  raising  the  large  fund  which  the  trustees  of  the  college 
named  as  a  condition  of  the  removal.  Of  the  old  and  very 
useful  Hampshire  Missionary  Society  he  was  a  trustee  and 
active  friend.  The  Hampshire  Education  Society  also  found 
in  him  an  intelligent  and  warm  supporter.  The  dawn  of 
the  foreign  missionary  enterprise,  in  1810,  he  hailed  as  the 
indication  of  a  brighter  era  to  the  church.  Of  the  property 
which  God  had  given  him  (larger  than  most  clergymen  are 
favored  with)  he  was  a  liberal  almoner.  At  a  day  when 
comparatively  few  christians  were  awake  to  their  great  duty 
of  laboring  for  the  conversion  of  the  world,  he  entered  with 
characteristic  ardor  into  the  various  plans  of  benevolence. 

"  In  1808  Mr.  Gould  was  married  to  Miss  Mind  well  Wood- 
bridge,  only  daughter  of  Sylvester  Woodbridge,  M.  D.,  an 
eminent  physician  in  Southampton.  Mrs.  G.  died  in  No- 
vember, 1837.  She  was  a  lady  of  strong,  original  powers  of 
mind,  which  had  been  highly  cultivated.  Her  social  and 
domestic  character  were  also  very  attractive,  to  which 
were  added  the  crowning  graces  of  intelligent  and  un- 
affected piety.  They  had  six  children,  all  of  whom  are 
living.  Their  house  was  ever  the  abode  of  hospitality,  of 
great  intelligence,  and  of  pure  and  christian  affection. 

"  After  his  dismission  from  the  church  in  Southampton,  in 
1832,  Mr.  Gould  taught  a  High  School  in  South  Hadley. 
He  subsequently  preached  for  some  time  in  Bernardston. 


46  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

He  then  returned,  with  his  family,  to  his  house  in  South- 
ampton, continuing  to  preach,  as  occasion  offered,  in  the 
neighboring  towns,  and  still  feeling  the  deepest  interest  in 
the  progress  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom.  In  the  course  of 
the  year  1840,  indications  began  to  appear  that  he  was  af- 
fected by  a  threatening  internal  disorder.  Towards  the  close 
of  the  year  the  symptoms  became  decided,  and  all  hope  of 
his  recovery  was  abandoned.  Here,  however,  we  may  say, 
'  behold  the  faith  and  patience  of  the  saint.'  Amid  the  bit- 
ter pains  of  his  inexorable  malady,  the  great  truths,  which 
he  had  so  long  preached,  had  power  to  afford  him  effectual 
consolations.  Some  particulars  of  his  conversation,  noted 
down  at  the  time  by  the  affectionate  friends  at  his  bed-side, 
may  be  interesting. 

"  When  informed  of  the  nature  of  his  disease,  in  Novem- 
ber, 1840,  he  manifested  the  most  perfect  composure.  From 
that  time  he  gave  up  all  hope  of  living  beyond  a  few  months. 
He  had  the  full  use  of  his  reason,  and  seemed  to  look  upon 
another  world  as  a  reality  which  he  was  soon  to  meet. 
Leaving  this  world,  to  use  his  own  language,  was  '  like 
passing  from  one  room  to  another.'  One  night,  after  retiring, 
he  was  heard  to  say,  '  This  earthly  tabernacle  is  evidently 
dissolving  ;  nature  is  giving  way  ;  I  am  fast  approaching 
the  swelling  of  Jordan.'  Yet  he  remained  in  cheerful  spirits 
to  the  last.  He  made  every  necessary  worldly  arrangement 
for  his  departure,  and  continued  to  be  interested  in  whatever 
interested  his  friends.  His  sufferings  were  unintermitted,  ex- 
cept when  he  slept,  and  at  times  excruciating.  In  great 
agony,  he  could  be  heard  praying,  '  Deal  gently  with  nle, 
O  Lord,  I  pray  thee.  Almighty  Father,  let  me  not  murmur. 
May  I  be  still,  and  know  that  thou  art  God.  What  grace, 
what  triumphant  grace,  does  it  require  to  be  perfectly  patient 
under  bodily  anguish.'  In  his  devotions  he  would  give 
thanks  that  his  pains  had  been  no  greater,  and  would  add 
that  this  is  indeed  a  small  thing  when  compared  with  mer- 
cies which  he  received. 


OFBERNARDSTON.  47 

"  He  showed  his  fondness  for  reading  as  long  as  he  lived. 
Many  hours  he  daily  spent  in  listening  to  Baxter's  Dying 
Thoughts,  to  various  religious  biographies,  but  especially  to 
the  Bible.  The  book  of  Job  was  read  to  him  several  times. 
He  Avould  inquire  with  the  deepest  interest  the  opinions  of 
those  around  him  on  various  texts.  Sometimes  he  would 
look  out  at  the  window  upon  the  thousand  objects  which 
had  been  so  long  familiar  to  his  eye.  '  God  knows,'  he  said, 
'  that  there  are  few  who  look  with  more  delight  than  I  do 
on  the  beauties  of  an  opening  spring.  I  thought  it  would 
please  Him  to  let  my  eyes  behold  them  once  more,  but  it 
seems  otherwise.'  He  planted  various  kinds  of  grain  in 
glasses,  and  watched  from  day  to  day  the  beautiful  blades 
which  grew  from  them,  and  which  continued  to  grow  long 
after  the  hand  that  planted  them  was  motionless  in  death. 
This  resignation,  so  clearly  shown  by  his  manner,  his  coun- 
tenance and  his  voice,  was  sometimes  lost  in  rapture,  in 
reflecting  on  the  perfect  government  of  God.  A  verse  of 
Watts's  Sapphic  Ode  was  often  on  his  lips  : 

'  Now  to  the  goodness  of  my  Lord  and  Master 
I  will  submit  all  I  have  or  hope  for  ; 
Sweetly  as  babes  sleep,  will  I  give  my  life  up, 
When  called  to  yield  it.' 

He  would  converse  with  his  friends  and  former  parishion- 
ers who  came  to  visit  him,  in  respect  to  their  spiritual  good, 
forgetting  his  own  weakness  and  disease  ;  and  would  urge 
them,  in  the  most  earnest  manner,  to  give  all  diligence  to 
make  their  calling  and  election  sure. 

''  At  one  time  he  said,  '  For  a  few  months  I  have  enjoyed 
much  of  the  presence  of  Christ.  It  is  wonderful  that  he 
gives  me  such  sweet  peace  in  contemplating  his  character.' 
The  last  week  of  his  life  he  spent  in  more  ease  than  any 
preceding  one  of  his  sickness.  He  was  confined  to  his  bed, 
and  much  of  the  time  was  under  the  influence  of  opiates. 
Yet  his  mind  was  occasionally  clear,  and  he  seemed  to  be  as 


48  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

well  aware  as  either  of  his  friends  that  the  hour  of  his  de- 
parture was  near.  Every  morning  there  was  a  more  deathly 
paleness  on  his  countenance.  But  the  same  peaceful  sub- 
mission still  appeared.  Every  pain,  every  struggle  for 
breath,  was  met  with  the  same  heroic  fortitude.  Again  and 
again  would  he  minister  consolation  to  his  distressed  chil- 
dren, and  assure  them  of  his  perfect  willingness  to  leave  the 
world.  When  his  mind  was  so  clouded  that  he  was  unable 
to  hold  a  connected  conversation  with  his  friends,  his  voice 
would  be  lifted  up  in  prayer,  and  for  some  minutes  every 
faculty  of  his  soul,  and  every  feeling  of  his  heart,  would 
seem  to  resume  their  former  place.  Even  during  the  night 
before  his  death  he  seemed  still  conscious  of  his  situation. 
'  I  thought,'  he  said,  '  that  I  was  on  a  bed  of  roses,  and  they 
said  that  they  would  carry  me  safely  through.'  One  of  his 
last  expressions  was,  '  I  thank  thee,  blessed  God,  for  these 
sweet  thoughts.'  Sunday  morning,  April  6th,  he  seemed  to 
be  in  a  dying  state,  and  was  apparently  unconscious  of  what 
was  passing  around  him  during  the  day.  About  5  o'clock, 
P.  M.,  he  was  observed  to  swallow,  which  he  had  not  done 
during  the  day.  His  youngest  child,  in  the  hope  that  con- 
sciousness was  about  returning,  seized  the  moment  with 
avidity,  and  said,  '  Father,  we  think  you  are  going  to 
heaven.  Mother,  we  believe,  is  already  there.  We  will 
try  to  meet  you  there.  Father,  do  you  not  hope  you  will 
meet  all  your  children  in  heaven  ?'  He  turned  on  her  his 
dying  eye,  and  distinctly  answered,  '  Yes.'  It  was  his  last 
word.  In  a  few  moments  his  emancipated  spirit,  we  cannot 
doubt,  joined  that  blissful  society  where  there  is  no  more  pain, 
and  where  tears  are  wiped  from  off  all  faces.  Welcomed, 
we  are  sure  he  was,  by  not  a  few  loved  ones,  who  had  gone 
before  him,  the  wise,  the  good,  the  venerable,  all  washed 
in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  and,  through  eternity,  to  sing  his 
praises. 

"  The  funeral  solemnities  were  attended  by  a  large  con- 
course of  people.     The  sermon  was  preached  by  his  excel- 


OFBERNARDSTON.  49 

lent  and  greatly  beloved  brother  and  friend,  the  Rev.  Pay- 
son  Williston,  of  Easthampton." 

2.  Rev.  Bancroft  Fowler  was  installed  pastor,  Dec.  21, 
1836,  and  Rev.  Roger  C.  Hatch  of  Warwick  preached  on 
the  occasion;  and  was  dismissed  Dec.  31,  1838.  For  further 
notice  of  him,  see  the  account  of  the  pastors  of  the  second 
Congregational  church  in  Northfield,  where  he  was  settled 
previous  to  his  settlement  in  Bernardston.  His  ministry  in 
Bernardston  was  about  two  years. 

3.  Rev.  Frederic  Janes  was  installed  pastor,  Nov.  4, 
1840,  and  Rev.  Charles  Wiley,  of  Northampton,  preached 
the  sermon.  He  was  born  in  Northfield,  May  6,  1808  ;  pur- 
sued collegiate  studies  at  Yale  and  Amherst,  but  did  not 
graduate ;  spent  several  years  in  teaching,  and  in  studying 
theology ;  preached  in  North  Walton,  N.  Y.,  from  1837  to 
1838,  and  in  Colchester,  N.  Y.,  from  1838  to  1840 ;  was 
dismissed  from  Bernardston,  Nov.  9,  1843 ;  installed  in  Pel- 
ham  in  1844,  and  Rev.  Richard  M,  Chipman  preached  the 
sermon ;  dismissed  from  Pelham  in  1845 ;  the  three  follow- 
ing years  was  an  agent  of  the  American  Protestant  Society ; 
then  had  charge  of  a  female  seminary  .one  year,  in  Western 
New  York  ;  then  preached  in  Michigan  a  short  time ;  has 
been  residing  several  years  in  New  York  city,  and  is  now 
there,  editing  the  "  Christian  Parlor  Magazine."  His  minis- 
try in  Bernardston  was  about  three  years.  He  was  ordained 
as  an  Evangelist  in  New  York  city,  Nov.  8,  1837,  and  Rev. 
Joshua  Leavitt  preached  on  the  occasion. 

4.  Rev.  Charles  Kendall  was  installed  Jan.  24,  1844, 
and  Rev.  T.  Packard,  Jr.,  preached  the  sermon.  Mr.  Ken- 
dall was  born  in  Westminster,  Feb,  14,  1813 ;  graduated  at 
Amherst  in  1839 ;  finished  the  theological  course  at  the 
Union  Theological  Seminary,  New  York,  in  1842  ;  preached 
as  stated  supply  at  South  Hadley  Falls,  previous  to  his  set- 
tlement in  Bernardston.  He  is  still  nominally  a  pastor  in 
Bernardston,  and  in  the  tenth  year  of  his  ministry  there, 

7 


50  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

though  he  has  not  been  with  them  since  December,  1853, 
and  is  residing  in  Mercersburg,  Pa. 

Of  the  four  pastors  of  this  church,  three  were  dismissed  ; 
three  are  still  living ;  and  the  average  length  of  their  minis- 
try in  Bernardston  is  about  four  years  and  a  half. 

CONGREGATIONAL    MINISTERS    ORIGINATING    EROM    BERNARDSTON. 

1.*  Rev.  Samuel  C.  Allen  was  born  in  Bernardston,  and 
having  been  settled  as  an  Orthodox  Congregational  pastor 
over  the  first  Congregational  church  in  Northfield,  a  further 
notice  of  him  is  given  in  the  account  of  the  Orthodox  pastors 
of  that  church. 

2.*  Rev.  Elijah  Wollage  was  born  in  Bernardston,  about 
the  year  1769 ;  graduated  at  Dartmouth  in  1791 ;  ordained 
at  Guilford,  Vt.,  March  13,  1793 ;  dismissed  from  Guilford, 
April  10,  1797;  settled  in  Cambridge,  Vt.,  from  1805  to 
1806 ;  again  preached  in  Guilford,  Yt.,  for  a  time,  and  left 
there  in  1818 ;  settled  as  pastor  in  Rockingham,  Vt.,  from 
1818  to  1821 ;  settled  as  pastor  at  Pultney,  N.  Y.,  about  seven 
years ;  supplied  at  Wheeler,  N.  Y.,  and  at  Rock  Stream,  in 
the  town  of  Starkey,  N.  Y.  ;  and  died  at  Rock  Stream,  town 
of  Starkey,  Yates  County,  N.  Y.,  July  18,  1847,  aged  78. 

The  following  obituary  notice  of  him  was  published  at 
the  time  of  his  death : — "  More  than  half  a  century  he  la- 
bored in  the  ministry  with  great  acceptance  and  usefulness. 
As  the  pastor  of  various  congregations  in  Vermont,  during 
the  space  of  thirty  years,  his  'praise  is  still  in  the  churches;' 
and  for  the  last  twenty-five  years  of  his  life  in  Western  New 
York,  with  a  mind  unimpaired  by  age,  and  a  body  free  from 
disease,  he  ever  exemplified  the  truth  he  so  earnestly 
preached  to  others,  by  his  daily  walk  and  conversation.  He 
fell,  as  it  were,  with  his  armor  on,  being  struck  down  by  an 
acute  and  rapid  disease,  while  preparing  sermons  for  the  ap- 
proaching Sabbath.  A  devoted  minister,  a  good  man,  a  kind 
husband  and  father,  he  has  gone  to  his  rest,  and  his  works 
follow  him."     His  funeral  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev. 


OF     BERNARDSTON.  51 

Ethan  Pratt.  The  following  is  the  epitaph  on  his  grave- 
stone, viz. :  "  For  more  than  half  a  century  he  proclaimed 
the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  has  now  gone  to  receive  his 
reward." 

Of  the  two  Congregational  ministers  who  originated  from 
Bernardston,  both  were  natives  of  the  town  ;  both  were 
graduates ;  both  became  pastors ;  one  left  the  ministry  and 
became  a  Unitarian,  and  was  a  Representative  to  Congress  ; 
and  both  are  dead.  Rev.  Samuel  H.  Riddel  passed  a  short 
period  of  his  early  life  in  Bernardston,  but  a  longer  period  in 
Gill,  in  connection  with  which  place,  a  further  account  of 
him  is  given.  Rev.  Alonzo  Sanderson  was  born  in  Ber- 
nardston, but  early  removed  to  Deerfield.  A  notice  of  him 
is  given  in  the  account  of  Deerfield  ministers. 

OTHER    DENOMINATIONS. 

Baptists.  The  first  Baptist  church,  which  was  consti- 
tuted in  1789,  existed  only  a  few  years,  and  was  disbanded. 
Its  only  minister  was  Rev.  Levi  Hodge.  The  second  Bap- 
tist church  was  organized  in  1808,  and  in  1853  had  96  mem- 
bers ;  and  the  following  ministers  have  supplied  it,  viz.  : 
Revs.  Josiah  Richardson,  Peter  Rogers,  Edward  Green, 
Stephen  S.  Nelson,  Benjamin  F.  Remington,  Erastus  An- 
drews, Aaron  Burbank,  Charles  Farrar,  John  Green,  George 
E.  Fuller,  and  Calvin  L.  Baker  in  1853.  It  is  not  known 
that  any  Baptist  minister  ever  originated  from  Bernardston, 

Methodists.  A  Methodist  class  was  formed  in  1799,  and 
the  church  was  organized  July  1,  1852.  They  have  had 
preaching  only  a  portion  of  the  time.  Among  the  preachers 
who  have  supplied  them,  are  Revs.  Messrs.  Bromley,  Ward, 
J.  S.  Day,  John  Beckwith,  Horace  Smith,  and  Randall 
Mitchell  in  1853. 

Unitarians.  The  Unitarian  church  was  originally  an  Or- 
thodox Congregational  church,  and  organized  in  Deerfield, 
Nov.  25,  1741,  and  became  Unitarian  about  half  a  century 
since,  as  stated  in  the  account  of  Orthodox  Congregation- 
alists  in  Bernardston. 


52  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

Rev.  Timothy  F.  Rogers  was  ordained  over  the  church, 
Sept.  20,  1809,  and  died  while  pastor  in  B.,  Jan.  26,  1847, 
aged  66  ;  Rev.  Asarelah  Bridge  was  installed  colleague  pas- 
tor, Feb.  18,  1846,  and  preached  his  farewell  sermon,  March 
31,  1850  ;  Rev.  Thomas  Weston  supplied  from  December, 
1850,  to  January,  1852 ;  Rev.  William  W.  Hebbard  began 
to  supply  in  April,  1852,  and  still  continues  to  supply  this 
church  and  people.  No  Unitarian  minister  is  known  to  have 
originated  from  Bernardston  ;  but  Rev.  Hon.  Samuel  C. 
Allen,  who  was  for  a  short  time  a  pastor  of  the  first  Congre- 
gational church  in  Northfield,  after  leaving  the  ministry,  be- 
came a  Unitarian.  For  a  further  notice  of  whom,  see  the 
account  of  the  Congregational  pastors  in  Northfield. 

Universalists.  The  Universalist  society  in  Bernardston, 
was  established  June  19,  1820  ;  and  its  preachers  have  been 
Revs.  John  Brooks,  Aurin  Bugbee,  R.  S.  Sanborn,  William 
S.  Ballon,  Orrin  Perkins,  and  Hymen  B.  Butler  in  1853. 

In  the  centre  of  Bernardston,  within  a  circle  of  a  radius  of 
forty  rods,  are  five  Meeting-houses  belonging  to  Unitarians, 
Orthodox  Congregationalists,  Baptists,  Methodists,  and  Uni- 
versalists, 

Summary  of  Preachers  originating  from  Bernardston — Or- 
thodox Congregationalists,  2.     Total,  2. 

BUCKLAND. 

A  part  of  the  territory  of  this  town  was  taken  from  Charle- 
mont ;  and  the  first  settlements  were  made  on  the  Deerfield 
river,  and  in  the  south  part  of  the  town.  A  Mr.  White  and 
Captain  Nahum  Ward  were  among  the  first  settlers.  The 
town  was  incorporated  April  14,  1779.  Its  population  in 
1850  was  1,056.  Three  churches  have  been  organized  in 
Buckland,  which  are  still  in  existence,  viz.,  one  Congrega- 
tional, one  Baptist,  and  one  Methodist. 


OFBUCKLAND.  53 


CONGREGATIONALISTS, 

Church.  The  Congregational  church  was  organized  in 
October,  1785,  with  eighteen  members.  The  first  Meeting- 
house was  built  in  1793,  and  was  rebuilt  in  1846.  Previous 
to  the  erection  of  their  house  of  worship  the  congregation 
for  some  time  held  their  meetings  in  a  barn.  Eight  revivals 
have  been  enjoyed,  resulting  in  the  addition  of  about  two 
hundred  and  thirty  to  the  church.  The  first  in  1799  and 
seventeen  added;  in  1808,  and  eighteen  added;  in  1816, 
and  fifteen  added;  in  1822,  and  sixty-six  added  ;  in  1831, 
and  twenty-seven  added  ;  in  1842,  and  forty-four  added  ;  in 
1849,  and  seventeen  added  ;  and  in  1851,  and  twenty-five 
added.  A  council  was  called  to  settle  difficulties,  Oct.  21, 
1800.  In  the  68  years  since  the  organization  of  this  church, 
it  has  had  a  settled  ministry  about  58  years,  and  has  been  des- 
titute of  the  same  about  ten  years.  The  church  gave  an  in- 
vitation to  Rev.  John  Keep,  in  1848,  to  settle  as  their  pastor, 
but  he  did  not  become  their  pastor.  The  charitable  contri- 
butions for  1853  amounted  to  ^266  89.  The  number  in  the 
Sabbath  School  in  1852  was  200.  The  number  of  members 
in  the  church  in  1853  was  190.  This  church  has  had  four 
pastors.  Previous  to  the  first  pastor.  Rev.  Jacob  Sherwin, 
of  Ashfield,  and  Rev.  Jonathan  Leavitt,  of  Heath,  preached 
as  supplies. 

Pastors.  1,*  Rev.  Josiah  Spaulding  was  installed  pas- 
tor of  this  church,  Oct.  15,  1794.  He  was  born  in  Plainfield, 
Ct.,  Jan.  10,  1751  ;  graduated  at  Yale  in  1778  ;  studied 
theology  with  Rev.  Dr.  West,  of  Stockbridge  ;  was  licensed 
to  preach,  Jan.  7,  1780  ;  ordained  as  pastor  in  Uxbridge, 
Sept.  11,  1782,  and  dismissed  from  there,  Oct.  2,  1787.  The 
dismissing  council  say,  "  They  view  Mr.  Spaulding's  chris- 
tian character  in  a  fair  and  amiable  light,  and  hope  Christ 
will  use  him  as  an  instrument  of  speedily  building  up  his 
gospel,  and  promoting  his  cause  in  the  world."  He  was  in- 
stalled in  Worthington,  Aug.  21,  1788,  and  dismissed  from 


54 


CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 


there,  March,  1794.  He  was  next  settled  in  Backland,  where 
he  died  while  pastor  of  the  church.  The  death  of  his  wife 
occurred  about  two  months  previous  to  his  own,  and  he 
preached  a  sermon  on  the  occasion,  March  2,  1823.  The 
sermon,  with  an  obituary  notice  of  Mr.  Spaulding,  written 
by  Rev.  Thomas  Shepard,  then  of  Ashfield,  was  published. 
From  that  biographical  account  the  following  extracts  are 
taken  : 

^'Mr.  Spaulding  received  the  afllictive  dispensation,  which 
deprived  him  of  his  wife,  as  a  solemn  call  of  Providence  to 
set  his  house  in  order  for  a  speedy  departure  from  this  vale 
of  tears.  His  health  had  for  some  time  previously  been  evi- 
dently declining,  and  now,  though  he  mourned  not  as  those 
who  have  no  hope,  yet  every  remaining  tie  to  this  world 
seemed  to  be  loosed,  and  his  arrangement  of  his  domestic 
concerns,  his  conversation,  his  preaching,  indicated  in  him  a 
strong  premonition  that  his  work  on  earth  was  soon  to  close. 
Nothing,  however,  appeared  alarming  in  regard  to  his  health 
until  the  27th  of  April,  when,  after  having  preached  with  un- 
usual strength  and  animation  in  a  neighboring  pulpit,  he  was 
attacked  very  violently  with  a  disease  to  which  he  had  before 
been  occasionally  subject.  On  Wednesday  following,  he 
was  so  far  revived  as  to  be  carried  home,  with  favorable 
symptoms  of  recovery.  His  disorder,  however,  soon  re- 
turned with  a  violence  that  baffled  all  medical  skill ;  and, 
on  the  morning  of  May  8th,  exhausted  nature  ceased  to 
struggle,  and  he  calmly  fell  asleep  in  the  arms  of  Jesus,  in 
the  73d  year  of  his  age.  *  *  *  As  a  minister,  Mr.  Spauld- 
ing held  a  very  respectable  standing  in  the  church.  His 
powers  of  intellect  were  of  a  superior  class.  To  extensive 
reading  he  added  much  thought.  He  became  familiar  with 
the  great  and  distinguishing  doctrines  of  the  gospel,  not  by 
admitting  the  conclusions  of  others  without  examination,  but 
by  bringing  his  own  mind  to  a  patient  and  laborious  investi- 
gation of  them.  He  was  habitually  a  student.  His  percep- 
tion of  truth  was  not  intuitive.     He  did  not  comprehend  his 


OFBUCKLAND.  55 

subject  at  a  glance.  He  was  deliberate,  made  sure  his 
progress  by  carefully  weighing  every  argument  that  related 
to  the  point  before  him,  and,  in  a  way  peculiar  to  himself, 
rendered  his  conclusions  clear  and  convincing.  In  his  work 
on  Universalism,  in  the  hands  of  the  public,  there  may  be, 
in  the  opinion  of  some,  an  unnecessary  expansion  of  argu- 
ment and  diffuseness  of  style,  yet  no  candid  and  patient 
reader  can  lay  doAvn  the  book  without  being  convinced  that 
it  contains  an  unanswerable  refutation  of  the  dangerous 
doctrine  therein  considered.  There  was  little  in  Mr. 
Spaulding's  person  or  manner  in  the  pulpit  that  would  be 
called  commanding.  He  possessed  not  the  graces  of  elocu- 
tion, yet  he  was  an  instructive  preacher.  The  weight  of 
sentiment,  with  which  his  discourses  were  fraught,  could 
scarcely  fail  of  gaining  the  attention  of  the  thinking  part  of 
his  audience.  There  was  a  solemnity  in  his  manner,  and 
not  unfrequently  an  ardency  of  feeling,  that  was  calculated 
to  affect  the  heart.  His  ministry  was  blessed  with  several 
seasons  of  religious  revival.  *  *  * 

"As  a  christian^  Mr.  Spaulding  must  be  considered  as 
preeminent.  The  doctrines  of  grace  which  he  believed, 
and  which  he  preached,  had  a  truly  sanctifying  influence  on 
his  own  heart.  He  aimed  to  be  a  living  example  of  the 
renovating  and  purifying  power  of  religion.  He  was  a  man 
of  prayer.  The  solemnity,  pertinence  and  fervency  with 
which  he  approached  the  throne  of  grace,  in  public,  in  the 
family,  or  by  the  bed  of  sickness,  evinced  to  all  that  heard 
him,  that  prayer  was  the  delight  of  his  heart,  and  his  com- 
munion with  God  uninterrupted.  The  permanent  derange- 
ment of  his  only  son,  whom  he  designed  to  educate  at 
college,  and  upon  whom  he  had  hoped  to  lean  in  declining 
life,  was  a  sore  affliction,  but  evidently  instrumental  of 
weaning  his  aflections  from  earth,  and  placing  them  on  the 
immutable  source  of  all  good.  His  conversation  was  spiritual 
and  edifying  ;  he  was  always  ready  to  impart  counsel  to  the 
young,  consolation  to  the  afflicted,  and  wholesome  advice  to 


56  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

all  with  whom  he  had  intercourse.  No  one,  whose  heart 
was  devoted  to  the  interests  of  religion,  could  visit  him  in 
his  family  without  coming  away  impressed  with  the  con- 
viction that  there  dwelt  a  man  of  God.  During  his  last 
sickness,  while  reason  remained,  and  at  lucid  intervals  after 
it  was  impaired,  his  conversation  was  such  as  became  a 
minister  of  Christ  in  his  dying  moments.  He  expressed 
himself  with  diffidence  in  regard  to  his  hope  of  heaven, 
but  seemed  to  have  the  most  exalted  and  consoling  views 
of  the  character  of  the  great  God  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 

"As  a. parent,  Mr.  Spaulding  was  tender,  affectionate  and 
faithful.  His  children  were  near  his  heart,  and  he  ceased 
not  daily  to  bear  them  in  the  arms  of  faith  to  the  throne  of 
grace,  that  '  they  might  know  the  Lord.'  He  submitted 
patiently  to  the  chastisement  of  God,  in  relation  to  his  de- 
ranged son,  and,  while  struggling  under  the  embarrassment 
of  a  small  income,  he  went  far  beyond  his  means  in  support- 
ing him  while  confined  in  his  own  house  for  more  than 
eleven  years.  *  *  *  His  church  and  people  have  been  be- 
reaved of  an  affectionate,  pious  and  able  minister  of  Christ. 
His  brethren  in  the  ministry  have  been  bereaved  of  one 
whom  they  highly  respected  and  loved,  and  whose  faithful 
services  they  will  long  remember  with  gratitude  to  the  great 
Head  of  the  church." 

The  following  account  is  from  Rev.  Mortimer  Blake's 
History  of  Mendon  Association,  and  was  furnished  by  Rev. 
Asa  B.  Smith,  a  successor  of  Mr.  Spaulding  in  the  ministry 
in  Buckland  : 

"  His  ministry  in  Buckland  was  a  successful  one.  There 
were  several  seasons  of  special  religious  interest  during  his 
ministry,  the  last  of  which  was  the  year  before  he  died, 
when  there  was  probably  the  most  powerful  revival  ever 
enjoyed  among  this  people.  *  *  *  Mr.  Spaulding  was  a 
sound,  doctrinal  preacher,  who  instructed  his  people  well  in 
the  great  truths  of  the  Bible,  and  laid  the  foundations  so 
thoroughly  that  they  remain  to  this  day.     The  fruits  of  his 


OFBUCKLAND.  57 

ministry  still  exist  in  the  church,  and  they  form  its  strongest 
pillars.  *  *  *  As  a  preacher,  his  manner  was  rather  dull  and 
uninteresting ;  but  what  he  lacked  in  manner  he  made  up  in 
matter.  On  his  death  bed  he  was  visited  by  some  of  his 
people,  who  came  to  confess  the  wrong  they  had  done  him. 
He  felt  that  he  could  not  die  without  an  interview.  When 
it  was  over  he  said  he  could  die  in  peace.  His  memory  still 
lives  among  the  people.  They  looked  up  to  him  as  their 
father,  and  when  they  now  speak  of  him,  they  usually  give 
him  the  title  of  'father.'  " 

The  account  given  by  Mr.  Smith  narrates  the  case  of  Mr. 
Spaulding's  unfortunate  and  only  son  Josiah,  as  follows  : 
"  Bearing  his  father's  name,  the  pride  of  his  parents,  and 
designed  by  them  for  the  ministry,  he  has  been  a  raving  ma- 
niac for  forty-four  years.  He  is  now  almost  65.  For  some 
two  years  after  he  became  deranged,  he  was  not  confined  ; 
but  his  father's  life  was  repeatedly  endangered,  and  he  was 
chained  for  some  two  years.  For  the  last  forty  years  he  has 
been  shut  up  in  a  cage.  No  clothing  can  be  kept  on  him. 
He  remains  constantly  in  a  sitting  posture,  with  a  blanket 
wrapped  about  him,  and  only  leans  back  against  the  cage 
when  he  sleeps.  He  has  remained  in  this  position  so  long 
that  his  limbs  cannot  be  straightened.  Before  he  became 
deranged  he  had  been  for  many  months  in  an  interesting 
state  of  mind,  and  his  parents  entertained  a  hope  for  him. 
He  was  nearly  or  quite  prepared  to  enter  college,  and  was 
teaching  school  when  the  first  signs  of  insanity  appeared. 
He  appears  to  become  more  and  more  demented." 

The  author  subjoins  the  few  following  disconnected  items 
in  the  history  of  Rev.  Mr.  Spaulding.  The  result  of  the 
council  that  settled  him  at  Uxbridge,  says  :  "  An  objection 
being  offered  by  Mr.  Preston  against  this  doctrine,  or  at  least 
that  he  did  not  understand  it,  viz.,  God's  foreordination  of 
every  thought,  word,  and  action  ;  voted  by  the  council  that 
said  objection  hath  no  weight."  In  conversation  with  a 
minister,  who  objected  to  the  doctrine  of  God's  decrees,  and 


58  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

said  the  doctrine  made  man  a  machine,  Mr.  Spaulding  re- 
plied, "  Well,  let  man  be  a  machine  ;  but  he  is  an  intelli- 
gent, vokmtary,  accountable  machine."  Being  invited  on 
one  occasion  to  preach  in  a  part  of  Buckland  where  minis- 
ters had  preached  to  great  acceptance  without  notes,  he 
preached  a  sermon  from  memory.  His  audience  were  de- 
lighted, and  argued,  that  as  Mr.  S.  usually  preached  with 
notes,  and  at  that  time  had  no  notes,  and  preached  so  won- 
derfully, God  must  have  inspired  him  for  the  occasion,  and 
thus  showed  his  approval  of  that  method  of  preaching.  Mr. 
S.  replied  that  all  the  inspiration  there  was  in  the  case  con- 
sisted in  his  having  committed  to  memory  the  sermon  he 
had  preached.  Rev.  Noah  Cressey  says  of  him :  "  Mr. 
Spaulding  was  a  moderate,  grave,  candid,  humble  man. 
He  preached  clearly  and  forcibly  the  good  old  Calvinistic 
doctrines.  He  might  be  called  a  reformation  preacher,  to 
shake  the  dry  bones.  He  did  not  love  money  as  many  do. 
Once  he  married  a  couple,  and  the  bridegroom  gave  him 
only  a  dollar.  He  demanded  another  quarter,  (the  lawful 
fee,)  and,  when  he  got  it,  gave  the  whole  to  the  bride." 

He  published  quite  a  number  of  valuable  sermons.  He 
had  prepared  a  theological  work  of  considerable  extent  for 
the  press  at  the  time  of  his  death.  The  manuscript  being 
lost,  it  was  never  published.  His  work  on  Universalism  is 
among  the  references  in  the  Andover  course  of  Theological 
Study.  He  married  Miss  Mary  Williams,  daughter  of  Judge 
Williams  of  Taunton,  with  whom  he  lived  over  thirty-nine 
years,  and  by  whom  he  had  five  children,  four  of  whom, 
daughters,  are  dead.  Three  of  his  daughters  married  and 
left  children. 

He  died  in  Buckland,  May  8,  1823,  aged  72.  Rev.  Sam- 
uel Taggart,  of  Colerainc,  preached  his  funeral  sermon. 
The  following  epitaph  is  inscribed  on  his  gravestone,  viz.  : 
•'Merciful  men  are  taken  away,  none  considering  that  the 
righteous  is  taken  away  from  the  evil  to  come."  "  Of  the 
forty-one  yeais  of  his  ministry,  iive  were  spent  at  Uxbridge, 


OFBUCKLAND.  59 

six  and  a  half  at  Worthington,  twenty-eight  and  a  half  at 
Buckland." 

2.  Rev.  Benjamin  F.  Clarke  was  ordained  as  pastor  of 
the  church,  Feb.  4,  1824,  and  the  sermon  was  preached  by- 
Rev.  Charles  Jenkins,  then  of  Greenfield,  which  was  pub- 
lished. Mr.  Clarke  was  born  in  Granby,  Jan.  18,  1792; 
previous  to  his  preparation  for  college,  studied  medicine ; 
graduated  at  Williams  in  1820;  finished  the  theological 
course  at  Andover  in  1823 ;  dismissed  from  Buckland,  May 
2,  1839 ;  installed  pastor  in  Chelsea,  Nov.  20,  1839,  and  the 
sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Dr.  Storrs  of  Braintree,  and 
he  was  dismissed  from  Chelsea,  Aug.  3,  1842 ;  installed 
pastor  at  Rowe,  June  7,  1849,  and  the  sermon  was  preached 
by  Rev.  Samuel  Harris  then  of  Conway,  and  he  was  dis- 
missed from  Rowe,  Oct.  23,  1850 ;  then  resided  at  West 
Hawley ;  in  the  spring  of  1852  began  to  supply  at  North 
Orange,  where  he  still  preaches.  His  ministry  in  Buckland 
was  about  fifteen  years. 

3.  Rev.  Preston  Cummings  was  installed  as  pastor  of  the 
church,  Jan.  1,  1840,  and  the  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev. 
John  Ferguson  of  Whately.  Mr.  Cummings  was  born  in 
Seekonk,  May  1,  1800,  and  afterwards  lived  in  Attleboro' ; 
graduated  at  Brown  University  in  1822;  studied  theology 
with  Rev.  Dr.  Park,  then  a  Professor  in  Brown  University  ; 
ordained  as  pastor  in  Lebanon,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  22,  1825,  and 
the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  John  D.  Pierce,  of  Sangerfield,  N. 
Y.,  and  dismissed  from  Lebanon  in  February,  1827;  in- 
stalled pastor  of  the  first  church  in  Dighton,  Dec.  26,  1827, 
and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Dr.  Calvin  Park,  then  of 
Stoughton;  and  dismissed  from  Dighton,  Dec.  31,  1835; 
installed  pastor  of  the  North  Church  in  Wrentham,  July  6, 
1836,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Dr.  Jacob  Ide  of  Med- 
way ;  and  dismissed  from  Wrentham  in  March,  1838 ;  and 
dismissed  from  Buckland,  Dec.  31,  1847;  then  resided  sev- 
eral years  in  Holden ;  and  now  lives  in  Leicester,  with  his 
only  surviving  son,  who  is  a  physician  in  that  place.     In 


60  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

1852  Mr.  Cummings  published  a  "  Dictionary  of  Congrega- 
tional Principles  and  Usages,"  a  volume  of  some  400  pages. 
"After  being  settled  one  year,  a  providential  injury  left  him 
exposed  to  short  periods  of  insanity  for  the  rest  of  his  life. 
He  spent  between  four  and  five  months  in  the  State  Lunatic 
Hospital  at  Worcester,  in  the  years  1849  and  1850 — the  last 
time  self-committed,  and  with  good  advantage.  Had  it  not 
been  for  this,  he  would  never  have  prosecuted  the  work  of 
his  Congregational  Dictionary  ;  but  there  he  could  attend  to 
it  with  peculiar  facilities  (having  access  to  the  Antiquarian 
Library  in  Worcester);  and  it  was  a  sanitary  employment." 
His  ministry  in  Buckland  was  about  eight  years. 

4.  Rev.  Asa  B.  Smith  was  installed  pastor  of  the  church, 
March  22,  1848,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Austin  Cary 
of  Sunderland.  Mr.  Smith  was  born  in  Williamstown,  Vt., 
July  16,  1809 ;  graduated  at  Middlebury  in  1834 ;  studied 
theology  at  Andover  and  at  New  Haven ;  ordained  as  a  mis- 
sionary, Nov.  1,  1837 ;  preached  for  a  time  at  Woodbridge, 
Ct.,  in  which  period  a  revival  was  enjoyed,  and  about  50 
were  added  to  the  church ;  under  the  patronage  of  the  Amer- 
ican Board,  started  for  Oregon,  March  15,  1838,  with  his 
wife ;  rode  2,000  miles  on  horseback  ;  reached  his  destina- 
tion, Sept.  1,  1838 ;  remained  in  Oregon,  among  the  Indians, 
three  years ;  on  account  of  the  failure  of  his  wife's  health, 
removed  in  1841  to  the  Sandwich  Islands,  and  remained 
there  till  1845 ;  then,  on  account  of  his  own  ill  health,  left 
the  mission;  returned  by  way  of  China  and  South  Africa, 
to  the  United  States,  May  4,  1846 ;  then  supplied  a  year  in 
South  Amherst ;  and  still  remains  pastor  in  Buckland,  now 
in  the  sixth  year  of  his  ministry  there. 

Of  the  four  pastors  of  this  church,  one  died  while  a  pastor, 
and  two  were  dismissed ;  and  the  average  length  of  their 
pastorates  is  about  fourteen  years  and  a  half;  and  three  are 


OF     BU  C  KL AND. 


61 


CONGREGATIONAL   MINISTERS   WHO   ORIGINATED  FROM   BUCKLAND. 

1.*  Rev.  Jesse  Edson  was  bom  in  Buckland  in  1773 ; 
graduated  at  Dartmouth  in  1794;  studied  theology  with 
Rev.  John  Emerson,  of  Conway ;  was  licensed  by  Hamp- 
shire Association,  Aug.  4,  1795 ;  supplied,  for  a  time,  the 
church  in  Gill ;  was  ordained  in  Halifax,  Yt.,  Nov.  23,  1796, 
and  Rev.  John  Emerson  preached  on  the  occasion  ;  and  died 
as  pastor  in  Halifax,  Vt.,  Dec.  14,  1805,  aged  32. 

The  following  account  of  him  is  from  a  manuscript  his- 
torical discourse,  delivered  by  Rev.  Alpheus  Graves,  while  a 
pastor  in  Halifax,  Vt. : — "  During  his  ministry,  ninety-nine 
were  added  to  the  church — eleven  of  whom  were  received 
by  letter.  In  the  fall  and  winter  of  1797  and  '98,  there  was 
a  general  revival  of  religion  in  the  town,  of  the  fruits  of 
which,  forty-three  united  with  the  Congregational  church  in 
1798.  A  considerable  number  united  with  the  Baptist 
church,  the  same  year.  Mr.  Edson  was  highly  acceptable 
to  his  people,  both  as  a  minister  and  as  a  pastor,  receiving 
their  affectionate  confidence.  As  a  preacher,  he  was  sound 
in  doctrine,  though  not  characterized  as  a  doctrinal  preacher. 
In  his  intercourse  with  his  people,  he  was  courteous,  intro- 
ducing the  subject  of  religion  in  an  easy  and  happy  manner. 
His  person  was  tall  and  slender.  His  preparations  for  the 
pulpit  were  made  with  readiness.  He  interested  himself  in 
the  young  people  of  his  charge,  and  was  accustomed  to 
preach  to  them  one  sermon  a  year.  Mr.  Edson's  salary  was 
one  hundred  pounds.  He  died  at  an  early  age,  much  la- 
mented by  his  people,  leaving  a  widow  and  three  children." 
He  published  an  interesting  sermon,  which  he  preached  to 
the  young,  Oct.  17,  1799. 

His  remains  sleep  beside  those  of  his  successor.  Rev. 
Thomas  H.  Wood,  near  the  sanctuary  where  they  preached 
the  gospel.  The  following  epitaph  is  on  Mr.  Edson's  grave- 
stone, viz.  : — 


63  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

"  My  flesh  shall  slumber  in  the  ground, 
Till  the  last  trumpet's  awful  sound; 
Then  burst  the  chains  in  sweet  surprise, 
And  in  my  Saviour's  image  rise." 

2.  Rev.  Washington  A.  Nickols  was  born  in  Buckland,  in 
1808 ;  graduated  at  Amherst  in  1834 ;  finished  the  theolog- 
ical course  at  Andover  in  1838 ;  ordained  as  pastor  in  Brook- 
field,  in  September,  1838,  and  the  sermon  was  preached  by- 
Rev.  Dr.  Snell,  of  North  Brookfield  ;  was  dismissed  through 
failure  of  health,  in  1842 ;  and  has  since  been  employed  in 
a  large  family  school  in  Brookfield,  till  1853,  when  he  relin- 
quished it.  He  married  a  daughter  of  Rev.  Moses  Miller. 
He  is  now  preaching  in  Chicago,  Illinois. 

3.  Rev.  Lebbeus  R.  Phillips  was  born  in  Ashfield,  Nov. 
1,  1806,  and  in  early  life  removed  to  Buckland,  where  he 
lived  and  made  it  his  home,  till  settled  in  the  ministry.  He 
graduated  at  Williams  in  1836 ;  studied  theology  at  East 
Windsor  Hill ;  preached  in  Halifax,  Vt.,  a  part  of  the  years 
1839  and  1840 ;  was  ordained  as  pastor  in  Sharon,  July  25, 
1841,  and  Rev.  Dr.  R.  S.  Storrs,  of  Braintree,  preached  the 
sermon.     Mr.  Phillips  still  remains  a  pastor  in  Sharon. 

4.  Rev.  David  Rood  was  born  in  Buckland,  April  25, 
1818  ;  removed  to  Plainfield  in  1827  ;  graduated  at  Williams 
in  1844;  finished  his  theological  course  at  East  Windsor 
Hill  in  1847 ;  was  licensed  to  preach  in  Northampton  in 
1846  ;  was  ordained  as  a  foreign  missionary  at  Plainfield, 
Oct.  7,  1847,  and  the  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Morris 
E.  White,  then  of  Southampton ;  embarked  for  his  destina- 
tion in  South  Africa,  Nov.  3,  1847 ;  and  is  now  laboring  as 
a  missionary  among  the  Zulus  in  South  Africa,  at  Umlazi, 
a  station  five  miles  from  the  sea, 

5.  Rev.  Lathrop  Taylor  was  born  in  Buckland,  Aug.  3, 
1813  ;  graduated  at  Middlebury  in  1839 ;  finished  the  theo- 
logical course  at  Andover  in  1842 ;  was  settled  as  pastor  of 
the  Spring  Street  Church  in  Taunton,  May  10,  1843,  and 
Rev.  I.  P.  Langworthy,  of  Chelsea,  preached  the  sermon  ; 


OFBUCKLAND.  63 

and  he  was  dismissed  from  there  in  June,  1S45  ;  installed  as 
pastor  in  Springfield,  Vt.,  Oct.  1,  1845,  and  Rev.  Erastus 
Maltby,  of  Tannton,  preached  the  sermon ;  and  he  was  dis- 
missed from  there,  Nov.  4,  1851;  installed  as  pastor  in  Fran- 
cestown,  N.  H.,  Nov.  19,  1851,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev. 
Austin  Richards,  of  Nashua,  N.  H.  Mr.  Taylor  is  still  pas- 
tor in  Francestown,  N.  H. 

Some  other  ministers  have  spent  a  portion  of  their  early 
life  in  Buckland.  Rev.  Theron  M.  Hawks  removed  from 
Charlemont  to  this  place  in  1835,  at  fourteen  years  of  age  ; 
an  account  of  whom  is  given  in  the  sketch  of  Charlemont 
ministers.  Rev.  Alvah  Lilley  removed  to  Buckland  in  1805, 
at  eight  years  of  age,  and  lived  there  five  years ;  a  notice  of 
Avhom  may  be  found  in  the  account  of  Ashfield  ministers. 
Rev.  Francis  Williams,  a  native  of  Ashfield,  lived  near  the 
borders  of  Buckland,  and  was  connected  with  the  church 
and  meeting  there. 

Of  the  jive  Congregational  ministers  here  enumerated  as 
sons  of  Buckland,  four  are  supposed  to  have  been  born  in 
Buckland  ;  all  received  a  collegiate  education  ;  all  have  been 
settled  as  pastors,  except  one,  who  is  a  foreign  missionary ; 
and  all  but  one  are  now  living. 

OTHER    DENOMINATIONS. 

Baptists.  In  a  history  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Ashfield, 
published  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Franklin  County  Baptist 
Association  for  1852,  it  is  said :  "  On  the  22d  of  July,  1789, 
ten  individuals  were  delegated  from  this  church  to  form  a 
branch  in  Buckland."  The  clerk  of  the  Baptist  church  in 
Buckland  makes  the  date  of  the  organization  of  that  church 
to  be  Nov.  21,  1828.  Its  number  of  members  in  1853  was 
26.  The  following  preachers  have  supplied  the  church,  viz. : 
Revs.  Linus  Austin,  James  M.  Coley,  Benjamin  F.  Reming- 
ton, John  K.  Price,  Amherst  Lamb,  Alden  B.  Eggleston,  P. 
P.  Sanderson,  James  Parker,  and  James  Clark  in  1853.  One 
Baptist  minister,  Rev.  William  Wilder,  originated  from  Buck- 
land. 


64  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

Episcopalians,  Rev.  Lucius  Carter,  of  this  order,  orig- 
inated from  Biickland. 

Methodists.  The  Methodist  society  existed  many  years 
as  a  fractional  part  of  a  large  circuit,  and  consequently  had  no 
separate  records.  The  date  of  the  organization  of  the  church 
cannot  be  ascertained ;  but  it  is  as  early,  probably,  as  1820, 
or  perhaps  still  earlier.  The  following  ministers  have  supplied 
as  preachers,  viz. :  Revs.  Ibri  Cannon,  Orrin  Peir,  Henry  Hat- 
field, John  Nixon,  Samuel  Avery,  John  J.  Matthias,  Moses 
Ammadon,  Robert  Travis,  J.  B.  Husted,  Alexander  Hulin, 
Elias  Crawford,  John  Luckey,  John  Parker,  Hiram  H.  White, 
William  Todd,  Joel  Knight,  Noble  Shepard,  Philo  Hawks, 
Ziba  Loveland,  Erastus  Otis,  Otis  Wilder,  Windsor  Ward, 
Daniel  Graves,  Simon  Pike,  William  Gordon,  Mr.  Oakes,  C. 
C.  Barnes,  William  Taylor,  E.  K.  Avery,  S.  Drake,  Leonard 
Frost,  Proctor  Marsh,  Porter  R.  Sawyer,  Henry  S.  Shedd, 
George  W.  Green,  Homer  W.  Clarke,  Moses  Palmer,  A.  G. 
Bolles,  Solomon  W.  Johnson,  Solomon  Cushman,  George  E. 
Chapman,  A.  S.  Flagg,  M.  Leffingwell,  and  Austin  F.  Her- 
rick  in  1853.  The  Methodist  Meeting-house  at  Shelburne 
Falls  is  on  the  Buckland  side  of  the  line,  but  the  church  and 
society  are  considered  as  belonging  to  Shelburne.  One  Meth- 
odist minister  has  originated  from  Buckland,  viz.,  Rev.  Wind- 
sor Ward. 

Summary  of  preachers  originating  from  Buckland.  Con- 
gregationalists,  5.  Baptists,  1.  Episcopalians,  1.  Meth- 
odists,  1.     Total,  8. 

CHARLEMONT. 

This  was  a  frontier  town  during  the  French  and  Indian 
wars,  and  was  greatly  exposed  to  the  attacks  of  the  enemy. 
In  the  limits  of  the  town  were  three  garrisons,  Taylor's, 
Rice's,  and  Hawks',  which  were  part  of  a  line  of  fortifica- 
tions projected  by  Colonel  Williams  in  1754.  The  town 
was  incorporated,  June  21,  1765.  The  population  in  1850 
was  1,173.     Five  churches  have  been  organized  in  Charle- 


OFCHARLEMONT.  65 

mont,  viz.,  three  Orthodox  Congregational,  one  Baptist,  one 
Methodist  and  one  Unitarian. 

CONCREGATIONALISTS, 

First  Church.  The  first  church  became  extinct,  and, 
the  records  being  lost,  it  is  not  certainly  known  when  it 
was  organized,  or  when  it  became  extinct.  As  the  town 
was  incorporated  in  1765,  and  the  first  pastor  was  settled  in 
1767,  and  the  deacons  were  chosen  in  1767,  the  church  was 
probably  formed  about  the  time  of  the  settlement  of  its  first 
pastor,  in  1767.  The  church  was  probably  disbanded,  or 
considered  extinct,  at  the  time  of  the  dismission  of  the  first 
pastor,  April  15,  1785,  as  a  part  of  the  members,  living  in 
Heath,  were  at  that  time  organized  as  a  church  in  Heath, 
and  a  new  church  was  formed  about  three  years  afterwards 
in  Charlemont. 

But  little  is  known  relative  to  this  first  church,  which  is 
now  defunct.  The  two  meeting-houses,  in  which  they  wor- 
shiped, were  situated  in  that  part  of  Charlemont  which  is 
now  included  in  Heath.  The  second  one  was  built  about 
1767.  Unhappy  differences  between  the  pastor  and  people 
arose  during  the  latter  part  of  his  pastorate  among  them. 
From  the  town  records  it  appears  that  his  people,  or  the 
town,  considered  him  as  dismissed  from  them,  not  by  a 
council,  but  by  their  own  vote,  Aug.  29,  1781.  He,  not 
considering  himself  dismissed  from  the  church,  and  being 
refused  the  use  of  the  meeting-house,  gave  notice  that  he 
should  held  meetings  and  preach  at  his  own  private  house  ; 
and  he  continued  thus  to  do  for  several  years,  a  few  of  his 
people  attending  upon  his  ministrations.  At  length  he 
claimed  his  salary,  and  it  being  refused,  he  commenced  a 
legal  prosecution  and  recovered  it.  At  one  stage  of  the  dif- 
ficulties, the  pastor  called  a  council  to  advise  in  relation  to 
his  dismission  from  the  church.  The  council  advised  him 
to  continue  for  six  months  longer,  in  the  hope  that  a  recon- 
ciliation might  be  effected  during  that  time.  During  the 
9 


66  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

difficulties,  Rev.  Jesse  Reed  preached  in  Charlemont,  as  a 
supply,  to  a  portion  of  the  people  who  were  disaffected  with 
the  pastor.  Mr.  Reed  continued  to  preach  for  several  years ; 
was  reproved  by  the  Association  of  Ministers  for  preaching 
in  the  parish,  when  the  pastor  was  not  dismissed ;  made  his 
confession  to  the  Association,  and  died  in  Charlemont  in 
January,  1791,  and  was  buried  there.  He  had  lived  in  the 
town  about  ten  years.  The  first  church,  during  the  proba- 
ble period  of  its  existence,  from  1767  to  1785,  had  but  one 
pastor,  whose  nominal  ministry  in  Charlemont  was  about 
eighteen  years. 

Pastor.  *Rev.  Jonathan  Leavitt  was  the  first  and  only 
pastor  of  this  church,  and  was  installed  over  it  near  the  close 
of  1767.  He  was  born  in  Suffield,  Conn.,  Jan.  22,  1731 ; 
graduated  at  Yale  in  1758  ;  ordained  as  pastor  in  Walpole, 
N.  H.,  May  27,  1761 ;  dismissed  from  Walpole  in  May, 
1765  ;  held  the  pastoral  relation  about  eighteen  years  in 
Charlemont  ;  and-  passed  the  remainder  of  his  life  on  the 
same  spot,  the  place  of  his  residence  being  included  in 
Heath  at  the  incorporation  of  that  town  in  1785.  He  died 
in  Heath,  Sept.  9,  1802,  aged  71.  The  council  that  dis- 
missed him  from  Walpole,  say  of  him :  "  We  esteem  him 
a  young  gentleman  endowed  with  many  desirable  minis- 
terial accomplishments."  Mr.  Leavitt's  first  wife  was  Miss 
Sarah  Hooker,  of  Farmington,  Con.,  who  died  suddenly, 
Oct.  11,  1791,  by  wrong  medicine  given  by  her  daughter. 
She  was  the  mother  of  twelve  children,  the  first  of  whom 
Avas  an  only  daughter.  The  eleven  sons  lived  to  arrive 
at  manhood,  but  are  now  dead.  Two  of  Mr.  Leavitt's 
grandchildren,  viz.,  Joshua  Leavitt  and  Jonathan  Leavitt, 
and  one  great  grandchild,  R.  S.  Leavitt,  are  now  ministers. 
Mr.  Leavitt's  second  wife  was  Mrs.  Tirzah,  the  widow  of 
Jonathan  Ashley,  Esq.,  of  Deerfield,  who  died  Nov.  22, 
1797. 

A  ministerial  acquaintance  of  his  says  of  him  :  "  Mr. 
Leavitt  dressed  in  the  costume  of  his  day.  He  wore  a  great 
white  wig  and  a  cocked  up  hat,  and  made  a  dignified  ap- 


OFCHARLEMONT.  67 

pearance.  He  would  do  more  execution  with  one  nod  of 
his  wig,  than  you  or  I  could  in  talking  half  an  hour." 

Another  minister,  connected  by  marriage  with  the  Leavitt 
family,  says :  "  Mr.  Leavitt  was  pastor  of  the  church  in 
Charlemont  through  the  hard  struggle  of  the  Revolution, 
which  was  especially  hard  upon  the  farmers  of  the  new 
mountainous  settlements.  His  people  fell  greatly  short  of 
furnishing  an  adequate  support  for  his  very  large  family,  and, 
after  twelve  years,  ceased  to  pay  him  anything.  After  the 
close  of  the  Revolution,  he  obtained  a  part  of  his  neg- 
lected salary  by  a  legal  course,  which  created  dissatisfac- 
tion on  the  part  of  some  of  the  people,  which  did  not  sub- 
side in  many  years.  Mr.  Leavitt  was  endowed  with  good 
talents  ;  was  a  gentleman  in  his  manners  ;  hospitable  and 
very  sociable  in  his  arnple  home  ;  and  a  christian  man  in  his 
deportment,  at  home  and  abroad.  His  sermons  are  sound 
in  theology,  and  manifest  a  mind  that  is  able  to  Avork  with 
profound  subjects  ;  not  fresh  and  beautified  by  the  imagina- 
tion, not  ardent  and  overflowing  with  love,  but  didactic,  dry, 
and  clean,  and  very  long.  His  services  were  delivered  in  a 
dull  monotony,  and  his  prayers  were  incredibly  long,  in  pub- 
lic and  in  family  devotions.  Feb.  28,  1802,  Mr.  Leavitt 
writes  :  '  My  son  Joshua  went  away  the  June  preceding  the 
death  of  his  mother,  and  has  not  been  heard  of  since.'  The 
last  of  July  following  he  learned  that  bales  of  cotton  had 
been  seen  in  the  city  of  New  York,  marked  '  Joshua  Leavitt.' 
The  father  immediately  started  on  a  journey  of  discovery, 
and,  on  his  return,  was  taken  sick,  and  died  soon  after  reach- 
ing home.  It  was  a  plain  case  of  travel  disease,  induced  by 
anxiety,  excitement,  and  horseback  journeying  of  several 
days  in  the  sun." 

A  manuscript  account  of  his  death  says  :  "  He  endured  the 
pains  and  distress  of  his  disorder  with  great  patience.  He 
manifested,  during  the  course  of  his  sickness,  the  most  en- 
tire resignation  to  the  will  of  his  Creator,  and,  at  last,  ap- 
peared to  expire  without  a  struggle,  in  the  hope  of  a  blessed 
immortality." 


68  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

The  following  obituary  notice  is  taken  from  the  Green- 
field Gazette,  of  Sept.  20,  1802  :  "  Mr.  Leavitt  was  taken 
sick  with  the  dysentery  on  the  20th  of  August,  while  at- 
tending upon  his  youngest  son,  who  was  sick  with  the  same 
disorder.  For  eighteen  days  he  endured  the  pains  and  dis- 
tresses of  his  disorder  with  great  patience.  During  the  time 
of  his  sickness  he  manifested  the  most  cheerful  resignation 
to  the  will  of  his  Creator,  and  a  firm  belief  in  the  mercy  of 
God  through  the  merits  of  Christ.  A  little  before  he  breathed 
his  last,  he  raised  his  hand  to  his  head,  and  endeavored  to 
close  his  eyes  as  well  as  he  could,  and,  at  the  close  of  life, 
appeared  to  expire  without  a  struggle,  in  the  hope  of  a  happy 
immortality.  It  is  but  just  to  remark,  that,  in  early  life,  Mr. 
Leavitt  made  a  profession  of  his  belief  in  the  religion  of 
Christ,  and  ever  after  appeared  to  be  steadfast,  zealous,  and 
sincere  in  maintaining  the  doctrines  of  the  gospel.  He 
considered  the  scriptures  as  the  only  perfect  rule,  and  the 
character  of  Christ  as  the  only  perfect  example,  for  the  con- 
duct of  men.  His  hope  of  acceptance  with  God  was  in  his 
mercy,  through  the  merits  of  the  Redeemer.  This  hope 
seemed  to  be  a  cordial  to  his  spirits,  in  all  the  trying  and 
distressing  scenes  of  his  life,  and  his  unfailing  support  while 
passing  through  the  dark  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death. 
'  Blessed  is  he  who  trusteth  in  the  Lord,  whose  hope  the 
Lord  is.'  Mr.  Leavitt  has  left  a  numerous  family  and  many 
friends  to  mourn  the  loss  of  an  aff'ectionate  husband,  a  most 
excellent  father,  and  a  faithful  friend."  In  1801  he  published 
a  volume  on  the   "New  Covenant  and  the  Church's  Duty." 

Second  Church.  The  second  church  was  organized 
June  6,  1788,  with  sixteen  members.  The  council,  embrac- 
ing Revs.  Nehemiah  Porter  of  Ashfield,  John  Emerson  of 
Conway,  and  Roger  Newton  of  Greenfield,  was  in  session 
three  days.  The  first  Meeting-house  was  built  about  1790, 
and  the  second,  located  about  two  miles  west  of  the  first, 
was  built  in  1845.  This  church  has  enjoyed  nine  revivals, 
as  the  fruits  of  which  nearly  two  hundred  united  with  it, 


OF     CHARLEMONT. 


69 


viz.,  in  1792,  and  forty  additions  ;  in  1815,  and  eighteen 
additions  ;  in  1821  ;  in  1824,  and  seventeen  additions  ;  in 
1828,  and  twenty  additions  ;  in  1830,  and  forty-one  addi- 
tions ;  in  1842,  and  twenty-six  additions  ;  in  1847,  and 
twenty  additions  ;  and  in  1850,  and  eighteen  additions. 
Councils  have  been  called  by  this  church  to  settle  difficulties 
as  follows,  viz.,  Feb.  9,  1791  ;  May,  1792  ;  Feb.  25,  1795  ; 
July  13,  1842  ;  and  Oct.  31,  1843.  This  church  has  given 
invitations  to  the  following  ministers  to  settle  as  pastors,  who 
declined  to  settle,  viz.,  Rev.  Enoch  Pond,  March  20,  1789  ; 
Rev.  Thomas  Moore,  Dec.  15,  1790;  Rev.  Caleb  Blake, 
May  5,  1791 ;  renewed  the  call  to  Mr.  Blake,  July  10,  1791  ; 
Rev.  Gordon  Dorrance,  July  2,  1794  ;  Rev.  Theodore  Hins- 
dale, Nov.  24,  1794  ;  Rev.  Tilton  Eastman,  Feb.  6,  1799  ; 
Rev.  James  Kimball,  Aug.  2,  1824  ;  Rev.  Parsons  Cooke, 
D.  D.,  Nov.  15,  1824  ;  Rev.  Theodore  J.  Clark  in  1852. 
The  amount  contributed  to  the  cause  of  benevolence,  in 
1853,  was  |99  39.  The  number  in  the  Sabbath  School,  in 
1852,  was  120.  The  number  in  the  church,  in  1853,  was 
87.  In  the  65  years  since  the  church  was  organized  it  has 
had  settled  pastors  about  47  years,  and  has  been  destitute 
of  the  same  about  18  years.  This  church  has  had  five 
pastors. 

Pastors.  1.*  Rev.  Isaac  Babbitt  was  settled  as  pastor, 
Feb.  24,  1796,  and  dismissed  June  7,  1798.  He  was  born 
in  Easton,  Conn.,  Feb.* 26,  1757,  and,  at  about  twelve  years 
of  age,  removed  to  Hanover,  N.  H.  ;  graduated  at  Dart- 
mouth in  1783  ;  studied  theology  with  Rev.  Eden  Bur- 
roughs, D.D.,  the  father  of  the  notorious  Stephen  Burroughs; 
preached  some  in  Vermont ;  was  married  March  20,  1795,  to 
Miss  Prudence  May,  daughter  of  Deacon  Ezra  May,  a  major  in 
the  revolution,  and  who  is  reported  to  have  been  the  very  first 
settler  in  Goshen.  After  his  dismission  from  Charlemont  he 
resided  about  one  year  in  Goshen,  and  removed  to  Hartwick, 
N.  Y.,  about  1801,  and  engaged  in  agriculture  ;  he  removed 
to  Seneca  Falls,  N.  Y.,  about  1832,  and  lived  there  till  his 


70  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

death.  He  had  seven  children,  three  daughters  and  four 
sons,  several  of  whom  are  now  living  in  the  western  states  ; 
one  son.  Rev.  Calvin  W.  Babbitt,  a  graduate  of  Amherst 
College  and  Andover  Seminary,  resides  in  Metamora,  111. 

A  minister  of  Mr.  Babbitt's  acquaintance  says  of  him  : 
"  Mr.  Babbitt  was  a  modest,  sober  and  pious  man.  In  his 
sentiments  he  might  be  called  a  strict  Calvinist.  He  was  a 
plain  preacher,  but  not  very  forcible.  His  way  and  manner 
of  delivery  were  not  pleasing.  He  was  a  good  man,  I  trust, 
but  an  unpopular  preacher.  He  had  a  kind  of  tickling  in 
his  throat,  which  rendered  his  speaking  disagreeable."  In 
his  speaking  he  had  a  habit  of  hemming  so  frequently  as  to 
injure  his  delivery.  A  correspondent  says  of  him  :  "  Mr. 
Babbitt  was  frank  in  his  manners,  social  and  cheerful  in  his 
disposition.  His  death  was  caused  by  a  cancer  on  the  limb, 
from  which  he  suffered  some  years.  During  his  last  illness, 
and  for  some  time  previously,  he  seemed  waiting  for  the 
summons  to  go  hence.  He  said  to  a  friend,  a  few  hours 
before  his  death,  that  he  had  good  news  to  communicate. 
The  gentleman  inquired  what  it  was,  when  he  replied  that 
his  physician  had  said  he  could  survive  but  a  short  time. 
He  seemed  delighted  at  the  idea  of  leaving  earth  and  earthly 
things." 

Mr.  Babbitt  died  at  Seneca  Falls,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  8,  1833, 
aged  76.  Rev.  A.  G.  Orton,  who  attended  him  in  his  sick- 
ness and  preached  at  his  funeral,  says  of  him  :  ''  Through 
all  his  illness,  till  death  came  to  his  relief,  though  he  suffered 
much,  he  was  never  heard  to  breathe  a  syllable  of  complaint  ; 
his  countenance,  ever  calm  and  bright,  with  a  smile  of  more 
than  earthly  joy,  looking  forward  to  his  release  with  patient 
hope,  and  a  firm  unwavering  trust  in  the  God  of  his  salva- 
tion." His  physician,  who  was  inclined  to  skepticism,  said 
that  he  had  seen  more  evidence  of  the  reality  of  religion  in 
the  case  of  Mr.  Babbitt  than  he  had  ever  witnessed  before. 
"  To  see  a  case  so  afflictive  as  that,  so  distressing  and  pitia- 
ble,  yet  so  calm  and  joyful,  there's  something  which  no 


OFCHARL.EMONT.  71 

mortal  can  gainsay."  An  obituary  notice  of  Mr.  Babbitt 
was  published  soon  after  his  death  in  the  "  Seneca  Far- 
mer."' Mr.  Babbitt's  ministry  in  Charlemont  was  about  two 
years. 

2.  Rev.  Joseph  Field  was  installed  pastor,  Dec.  4,  1799 ; 
and  was  dismissed  from  Charlemont,  July  10,  1823.  He 
was  born  in  Sunderland,  in  1772 ;  graduated  at  Dartmouth 
in  1792 ;  studied  theology  with  Rev.  Dr.  Charles  Backus  of 
Somers,  Ct. ;  settled  as  pastor  in  Fairfield,  Herkimer  County, 
N.  Y.,  Dec.  4,  1797,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Eliphalet 
Steele  of  New  Hartford,  N.  Y.  ;  dismissed  from  Fairfield  in 
the  spring  of  1799 ;  supplied  a  short  time  in  Westminster, 
Vt.,  (West  Parish),  and  was  then  settled  in  Charlemont.  Mr. 
Field  married  a  daughter  of  Rev.  John  Emerson  of  Conway. 
He  performed  a  missionary  tour  in  1805,  in  the  State  of  New 
York,  under  the  Hampshire  Missionary  Society.  He  has 
published  several  sermons ;  a  volume  of  Strictures  on  Rev. 
Daniel  Merrill's  work  on  Baptism ;  a  volume  of  twelve  ser- 
mons on  the  Divine  Government ;  a  Treatise  on  the  Trinity ; 
and  "  Clerical  Discipline,"  in  two  parts.  He  was  a  Rep- 
resentative of  Charlemont  to  the  Massachusetts  Legislature 
m  1828,  1835,  1836,  1837,  1838,  1839,  and  1842.  He  has 
continued  to  reside  in  Charlemont  since  his  dismission.  His 
dismission  was  in  consequence  of  his  becoming  a  Unitarian. 
He  has  supplied  the  Unitarian  church  in  Charlemont,  more 
or  less,  since  his  dismission  from  the  Orthodox  church. 
After  the  change  in  his  doctrinal  views,  an  account  of  the 
mutual  doings  of  Mr.  Field  and  the  Franklin  Association 
with  which  he  was  connected,  was  recorded  by  the  Associ- 
ation ;  and  Mr.  Field  also  gave  his  views  of  the  same,  in 
"Clerical  Discipline."  His  ministry  in  Charlemont  was 
about  twenty-three  years  and  a  half. 

3.*  Rev.  Wales  Tileston  was  ordained  pastor,  March  16, 
1825,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Dr.  William  B.  Sprague 
of  Albany ;  and  he  was  dismissed  from  Charlemont,  March 
22,  1837.     Mr.  Tileston  was  born  in  Williamsburg,  Nov.  24, 


72  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

1792  ;  pursued  his  collegiate  studies  chiefly  at  Williams,  but 
graduated  at  Union  in  1822  ;  studied  theology  at  Andover, 
and  with  Rev.  Dr.  Asa  Burton  of  Thetford,  Vt.  ;  was  li- 
censed by  Orange  Association,  Vt.,  Aug.  6,  1823  ;  installed 
as  pastor  in  Nunda  Valley,  N.  Y.,  in  the  spring  of  1838;  dis- 
missed from  there  in  1840  ;  resided  there  two  years,  and 
supplied  neighboring  churches  ;  supplied  at  Perry  Village, 
N.  Y.,  in  1842;  supplied  in  Perry  Centre,  N.  Y.,  in  1843; 
in  1844  removed  to  Rockford,  111.,  and  lived  there  four 
years ;  in  1849,  removed  to  Galesburg,  111.,  and  preached  at 
Andover,  111.,  till  June,  1850.  Rev.  Abel  Caldwell  of  Hunt's 
Hollow,  N.  Y.,  preached  his  installation  sermon  at  Nunda 
Valley,  N.  Y.  He  buried  his  first  wife  in  the  early  part  of 
his  ministry,  in  1827.  She  was  Miss  Rebecca  Gookin.  His 
second  wife,  a  Miss  Clapp,  from  Greenfield,  survives  him. 
He  had  nine  children,  four  of  whom  are  living. 

Rev.  Lemuel  Leonard,  a  former  parishioner  of  Mr.  Tiles- 
ton  in  Charlemont,  says  of  him :  "  The  most  obvious  and 
prominent  things  that  impressed  my  mind  were  his  kind- 
ness of  disposition  and  sympathy,  which  qualified  him  emi- 
nently to  minister  to  the  sick  and  dying  as  a  spiritual  adviser 
and  comforter.  His  interest  in  the  young,  and  his  encour- 
agement of  young  men  to  acquire  an  education,  were  re- 
markable ;  and  many  of  the  young  people  of  his  charge  in 
Charlemont  remember  his  kindness  and  encouragement  to 
this  day,  with  great  thankfulness." 

An  obituary  notice  of  him  was  published,  from  which  the 
following  is  an  extract,  viz. : — '^  Mr.  Tileston  was  a  man  of 
sound  mind,  and  a  firm  believer  in  the  Orthodox  faith,  in 
which  he  had  been  reared.  His  ministry  was  blessed,  es- 
pecially in  the  early  part  of  it,  by  the  conversion  of  many. 
A  paper,  found  since  his  death,  containing  resolutions  for  the 
government  of  his  heart  and  life,  written  out  in  the  early 
part  of  his  christian  life,  evinces  a  mind  deeply  impressed 
with  the  truths  of  the  gospel  and  the  duties  it  enjoins.  His 
end  was  peace."     He  died  with  the  dropsy,  at  Galesburg, 


OPCHARLEMONT.  73 

111.,  Feb.  22,  1851,  aged  59.  Rev.  Flavel  Bascomb  of 
Galesburg  preached  his  funeral  sermon.  His  ministry  in 
Charlemont  was  about  twelve  years. 

4.  Rev.  Stephen  T.  Allen  was  ordained  as  pastor,  April 
18,  1838,  and  the  sermon  was  by  President  Hopkins  of  Wil- 
liams College  ;  and  he  was  dismissed  from  Charlemont,  April 
24,  1839.  Mr.  Allen  was  born  in  Heath  in  1809 ;  made  a 
profession  of  religion  at  thirteen  years  of  age  ;  graduated  at 
Amherst  in  1833  ;  finished  the  theological  course  at  Ando- 
ver  in  1837  ;  installed  as  pastor  in  Merrimack,  N.  H.,  May 
23,  1839 ;  dismissed  from  Merrimack,  Sept.  4,  1850,  in  con- 
sequence of  failure  of  health.  Since  leaving  Merrimack, 
Mr.  Allen  has  been  engaged  in  the  publishing  and  editing 
department  in  New  York  city.  He  now  edits  the  Mother's 
Magazine  and  Merry's  Museum,  in  New  York.  His  minis- 
try in  Charlemont  continued  only  about  one  year. 

5.  Rev.  John  D.  Smith  was  ordained  as  pastor,  Nov.  20. 
1839,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Dr.  Packard  of  Shel- 
burne  ;  and  he  was  dismissed,  Aug.  11,  1844;  and  resettled 
as  pastor  in  Charlemont,  over  the  same  church,  June  21, 
1848,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Dr.  Osgood  of  Spring- 
field ;  and  he  was  dismissed  from  Charlemont  the  second 
time,  May  19,  1852.  Mr.  Smith  was  born  in  Hanover,  N. 
H.,  April  9,  1812 ;  graduated  at  Yale  in  1832 ;  studied  the- 
ology at  New  Haven  and  at  Andover  ;  supplied  one  year  at 
Athol,  previous  to  his  ordination  at  Charlemont ;  after  his 
first  dismission  from  Charlemont,  he  pursued  medical  studies 
at  Baltimore,  Md.  ;  and  since  his  second  dismission  from 
Charlemont,  he  has  continued  to  reside  in  the  town,  and  has 
supplied  in  various  places. 

The  following  is  from  an  address  occasioned  by  the  death 
of  Nathan  Smith,  M.  D.,  the  father  of  Rev.  J.  D.  Smith : — 
•'  Connected  with  the  last  sickness  of  Dr.  Smith,  there  was 
one  interesting  event,  to  which  I  cannot  forbear  to  allude. 
His  three  elder  sons  had  been  educated  by  him,  and  intro- 
duced into  the  medical  profession  ;  but  his  younger  son 
10 


74  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

(John  D.  Smith)  was  yet  to  receive  his  education.  The 
dying  father,  under  the  pressure  of  poverty,  could  make  no 
provision  for  him.  That  he  was  poor,  after  all  his  toils  for 
the  advancement  of  medical  science,  and  for  the  alleviation 
of  human  misery,  is  no  reproach  to  his  name  ;  for  he  was 
not  in  embarrassed  circumstances,  as  some  have  been,  in 
consequence  of  his  vices  and  extravagance.  Perhaps  he  was 
poor,  because  he  had  not  a  heart  to  exact  his  dues  from  the 
children  of  poverty.  Perhaps  he  was  poor,  because  he  was 
liberal  and  generous.  He  could  not  provide  for  the  educa- 
tion of  his  youngest  son.  He  had  nothing  to  bequeath  him. 
His  own  toils  and  cares  were  over.  Who  would  be  a  father 
and  friend  to  his  son  ?  In  this  state  of  solicitude  and  anxi- 
ety, the  door  of  his  sick  chamber  was  opened,  and  there 
stood  before  him  a  respectable  physician  of  Boston,  (Dr. 
Shattuck)  formerly  his  pupil  ;  and  he  came  to  tell  him  to 
die  in  peace,  because  his  son  should  he  taken  care  of.  This 
visit  for  this  object,  and  as  a  testimony  of  affection  and  re- 
spect, sent  a  thrilling  stimulating  power  through  his  whole 
palsied  frame.  His  countenance  was  lighted  up  with  joy. 
The  tongue  of  the  paralytic  was  loosened,  and  he  spake 
with  distinctness ;  and  doubtless  there  was  not  absent  from 
the  gladdened  heart  a  warm  emotion  of  gratitude  to  God." 
In  accordance  with  his  promise  to  the  dying  father,  Dr. 
Shattuck  liberally  assisted  the  son  in  passing  through  his 
collegiate  and  professional  course.  Mr.  Smith  was  chosen 
to  represent  the  town  of  Charlemont  in  the  Legislature  of 
Massachusetts,  in  1854. 

Of  the  jive  pastors  of  this  church,  all  were  dismissed  ;  one 
became  a  Unitarian  ;  and  three  are  now  living ;  and  the  av- 
erage length  of  their  pastorates  is  about  nine  years  and  a  half. 

Since  the  dismission  of  their  last  pastor  this  church  has 
been  supplied  by  Rev.  Theodore  J.  Clark,  Rev.  Edward 
Clarke,  Rev.  Levi  Packard,  and  Mr.  Samuel  Fisk.  Between 
the  pastorates  of  Mr.  Allen  and  Mr.  Smith,  the  church  was 
supplied  some  time  by  Professor  John  Tatlock  of  Williams 
College,  and  Rev.  George  Lyman. 


O  F      C  H  A  R  L  E  M  O  N  T.  75 

Third  Church.  The  third  church  was  organized  in  the 
east  part  of  the  town,  Aug.  6,  1845,  with  forty-three  mem- 
bers. Its  first  and  only  Meeting-house  was  built  in  1847.  A 
season  of  revival  was  enjoyed  in  1848,  and  twenty-seven 
were  added  to  the  church.  A  council  was  called  to  give  ad- 
vice in  a  case  of  difficulty,  Aug.  2,  1848.  The  amount  contrib- 
uted to  the  cause  of  benevolence,  in  1853,  was  $63  95. 
The  number  in  the  Sabbath  School  in  1852,  was  120.  In 
1853  the  church  numbered  80.  Previous  to  the  settlement 
of  their  first  pastor,  the  church  was  supplied  by  Rev.  Na- 
thaniel A.  Keyes,  who  had  been  a  missionary  of  the  Amer- 
ican Board  to  Syria. 

Two  pastors  have  been  settled  over  this  church.  In  the 
eight  years  and  a  half  since  the  organization  of  this  church, 
it  has  had  a  settled  ministry  about  five  years  and  a  half,  and 
has  been  destitute  of  the  same  about  three  years. 

Pastors.  1.  Rev.  Moses  H.  Wilder  was  installed  as 
pastor,  March  17,  1847,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Absalom  Peters  of  Wil- 
liamstown  preached  on  the  occasion ;  and  he  was  dismissed 
from  Charlemont,  Oct.  3,  1848.  Mr.  Wilder  was  born  in 
Winchendon,  June  19,  1798  ;  did  not  graduate  at  any  col- 
lege ;  did  not  study  at  any  Theological  Seminary ;  was  li- 
censed to  preach  in  Indiana,  Oct.  23,  1831;  ordained  as 
an  Evangelist  at  Tamworth,  N.  H.,  April  21,  1835,  and 
preached  himself  on  the  occasion  ;  was  a  pastor  at  Bath,  la., 
three  years ;  installed  pastor  at  Georgetown,  Ohio,  April  23, 
1840,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Eleazer  Brainard ;  dis- 
missed from  Georgetown  in  April,  1842 ;  installed  pastor  at 
Wadsworth,  Ohio,  in  1843,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev. 
James  Shaw;  dismissed  from  Wadsworth  in  July, '1845; 
after  leaving  Charlemont,  was  installed  at  Salem,  pastor  of 
the  Howard  Street  Church,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Dr. 
Storrs  of  Braintree ;  dismissed  from  Salem,  Oct.  8,  1851 ; 
installed  pastor  at  Harwich,  Dec.  10,  1851,  and  the  sermon 
was  by  Rev.  Dr.  George  W.  Blagden  of  Boston.  Mr.  Wilder 
has  been  employed  as  an  agent  of  benevolent  societies  seven 


76  CHURCHES      AND     MINISTERS 

years ;  has  been  under  the  Home  Missionary  Society  seven 
years ;  has  preached  over  3,000  sermons ;  is  still  a  pastor  in 
Harwich.  Mr.  Wilder's  pastorate  in  Charlemont  continued 
about  one  year  and  a  half. 

2.  Rev.  Aaron  Foster  was  installed  pastor,  Feb.  13, 
1850,  and  Rev.  Samuel  Harris  preached  on  the  occasion. 
Mr.  Foster  was  born  in  Hillsboro',  N.  H.,  March  19,  1794, 
and  was  trained  up  among  the  Quakers.  .  He  graduated  at 
Dartmouth  in  1822  ;  finished  the  theological  course  at  An- 
dover  in  1825 ;  was  ordained  as  an  Evangelist  at  Rutland, 
Yt.,  Oct.  19,  1825,  and  Rev.  Phineas  Cook,  then  of  Ack- 
worth,  N.  H.,  preached  on  the  occasion ;  supplied  five  years 
various  churches  in  Laurens,  Abbeville,  and  Pendleton  Dis- 
tricts, in  S.  C.  In  April,  1828,  while  driving  rapidly  in  a 
chaise,  near  Charleston,  S.  C,  his  horse  was  killed  by  light- 
ning ;  in  1829,  he  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  General 
Assembly  at  Philadelphia;  was  installed  pastor  in  Pendleton, 
S.  C.  in  1830,  and  Rev.  Anthony  Ross  preached  the  ser- 
mon ;  in  September,  1833,  went  to  Fort  Covington,  N.  Y., 
received  a  call  to  settle  there,  but  declined  it,  and  continued 
to  supply  the  church  there  for  several  years ;  in  1837  went 
to  Constable,  N.  Y.,  and  preached  there  till  November,  1843 ; 
spent  some  time  in  an  agency  for  the  American  Peace  Soci- 
ety in  1844 ;  in  November,  1845,  began  to  supply  the  Rob- 
inson Church  in  Plymouth,  and  continued  there  till  his  re- 
moval to  Charlemont.  In  1851  he  was  a  delegate  to  the 
World's  Peace  Convention  at  London.  In  1853  he  was  a 
delegate  from  Charlemont  to  revise  the  Constitution  of  Mas- 
sachusetts. He  is  still  a  pastor  in  Charlemont,  in  the  fourth 
year  of  his  ministry  there. 

Of  the  tiDO  pastors  of  this  church,  one  was  dismissed  ;  both 
are  now  living  ;  and  the  average  length  of  their  pastorates  is 
about  two  years  and  a  half. 


OFCHARLEMONT.  77 


CONGREGATIONAL    MINISTERS    WHO     ORIGINATED     FROM 
CHARLEMONT. 

1.  Rev.  James  Ballard  was  born  in  Charlemont  in  1S05 ; 
graduated  at  Williams  in  1827  ;  instructed  in  the  Academy 
at  Bennington,  Vt.,  for  ten  years,  till  1837,  having  had  charge 
of  more  than  five  hundred  ditferent  scholars,  and  having  pre- 
pared more  than  forty  for  college  ;  studied  theology  with 
Rev.  Dr.  Beman  of  Troy,  N.  Y.  ;  was  licensed  by  the  Con- 
gregational Association,  in  New  York  city,  in  1837  ;  re- 
moved, in  1837,  to  Ohio,  and  preached  in  the  vicinity  of 
Columbus  till  1838  ;  then  removed  to  Grand  Rapids,  Mich., 
and  preached  there  and  at  Grandville  for  several  years  ;  or- 
dained as  an  Evangelist  in  1839,  at  Galesburg,  Mich.,  and 
the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Stephen  Mason  of  Marshall,  Mich.  ; 
while  supplying  the  church  at  Grand  Rapids,  he  bought,  for 
the  benefit  of  that  church,  of  Louis  Campau,  a  Catholic 
house  of  worship  for  $3,700,  for  the  payment  of  which  he 
collected  of  the  New  England  churches  $2,800.  The  bal- 
ance has  nearly  been  paid  by  the  church,  and  they  now 
enjoy  a  large  and  commodious  house  of  worship.  In  1847 
he  retired  from  the  ministry  at  Grand  Rapids  to  a  farm  in 
the  vicinity.  In  1850  he  was  invited  to  take  charge  of  a 
large  Union  School  in  Grand  Rapids.  He  is  now  in  charge 
of  that  school,  and  preaches  to  a  neighboring  church. 

2.  Rev.  Roswcll  Hawks  was  born  in  Charlemont  in  1788  ; 
graduated  at  Williams  in  1811  ;  studied  theology  with  Rev. 
Dr.  Packard  of  Shelburne  ;  ordained  pastor  in  Peru,  Oct.  8, 
1815,  and  dismissed  from  there  in  April,  1823  ;  installed 
pastor  in  Cummington,  April  20,  1825,  and  the  sermon  was 
by  Rev.  Dr.  Humphrey,  then  President  of  Amherst  College  ; 
since  his  dismission  from  Cummington,  for  the  most  part,  he 
has  been  general  agent  and  steward  for  the  Mount  Holyoke 
Female  Seminary,  and  resides  at  South  Hadley,  and  preaches 
occasionally. 

3.  Rev.  Theron  M.  Haivks  was  born  in  Charlemont,  Oct. 


78  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

24,  1821  ;  in  1835  changed  his  place  of  residence  from 
Charlemont  to  Buckland  ;  graduated  at  Williams  in  1844  ; 
finished  the  theological  course  at  Union  Theological  Semi- 
nary, New  York  city,  in  1851  ;  since  then  has  been  em- 
ployed chiefly  in  teaching  in  that  Seminary. 

4.  Rev.  Lemuel  Leonard  was  born  in  Charlemont,  of 
Baptist  parents,  Nov.  23,  1812  ;  pursued  preparatory  studies 
in  Heath,  and,  in  1830,  united  with  the  Congregational 
church  in  that  place  ;  was  a  member  of  Amherst  College 
from  1830  to  1832,  and  then  left  college  on  account  of  ill 
health,  and  did  not  graduate  ;  studied  with  various  instruc- 
tors, and  completed  the  theological  course  in  the  East  Wind- 
sor Hill  Seminary  in  1839  ;  was  licensed  by  Franklin  Asso- 
ciation in  1838  ;  ordained  at  Portageville,  N.  Y.,  as  pastor, 
Oct.  30,  1839,  and  the  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Wales 
Tileston,  then  of  Nunda  Valley,  N.  Y.  ■;  dismissed  from 
Portageville,  Aug.  19,  1849,  and  has  since  preached  as  a 
stated  supply  at  Moscow,  N.  Y.  Mr.  Leonard  married  a 
daughter  of  Rev.  Moses  Miller,  formerly  of  Heath. 

5.  Rev.  Daniel  Rice  was  born  in  Conway,  Oct.  13,  1816; 
at  one  year  and  a  half  of  age  removed  to  Charlemont,  where 
he  lived  till  manhood  ;  united  with  the  church  at  thirteen 
years  of  age  ;  graduated  at  Amherst  in  1837  ;  was  principal 
of  the  Academy  in  Hancock,  N.  H.,  two  years  ;  pursued 
theological  study  for  a  time  at  Andover,  and  finished  his 
theological  course  at  Lane  Seminary,  Ohio,  in  1842  ;  was 
settled  as  pastor  at  Troy,  Ohio,  in  1842,  and  the  sermon  was 
preached  by  Rev.  Dr.  John  W.  Hall  of  Dayton,  Ohio.  Three 
seasons  of  revival  have  been  enjoyed  during  Mr.  Rice's 
ministry  at  Troy,  and,  in  1843,  between  forty  and  fifty  were 
added  to  his  church.  Mr.  Rice  is  still  a  pastor  at  Troy, 
Ohio. 

Some  other  Congregational  ministers  have  spent  a  short 
portion  of  their  early  life  in  this  town,  who  are  not  num- 
bered in  this  sketch  among  the  sons  of  Charlemont.  Rev." 
Jedediah  Bushnell,  who  died  pastor  of  the  church  in  Corn- 


O  F     C  11  A  R  L  E  M  O  N  T  .  79 

wall,  Vt.j  Aug.  2,  1846,  aged  77,  spent  three  years  in  Char- 
lemont,  to  learn  the  trades  of  shoemaker  and  tanner.  Rev. 
Noah  Cressey,  now  of  Portland,  Me.,  removed  to  Charlemont 
when  about  eighteen  years  of  age,  and  resided  there  till  he 
began  to  prepare  for  the  ministry  ;  but,  as  he  lived  for  a 
longer  period  in  early  life  in  Rowe,  a  notice  of  him  is 
given  in  the  account  of  ministers  who  originated  from  that 
town. 

Of  the  five  Congregational  ministers  here  reckoned  as  sons 
of  Charlemont,  four  were  born  in  that  town  ;  four  Avere 
graduates  ;  and  all  are  now  living. 

OTHER    DENOMINATIONS. 

Baptists.  The  Baptist  church  in  Charlemont  was  formed 
about  1791.  The  following  preachers  have  supplied  it  with 
preaching,  viz.,  Revs.  John  Green,  Mr.  Wheeler,  Mr.  Palmer, 
Ebenezer  Hall,  Samuel  Carpenter,  Nathaniel  Rice,  Mr.  Mc- 
Cullock,  James  M.  Coley,  Darius  Dunbar,  David  Pease,  Ben- 
jamin F.  Remington,  R.  P.  Hartley,  S.  Bently,  M.  J.  Kelley, 
James  Parker,  and  Hervey  Crowley  in  1853.  This  church, 
in  1853,  had  67  members.  One  Baptist  minister  originated 
from  Charlemont,  viz.,  Rev.  Philander  Hartwell. 

Methodists.  Methodism  seems  to  have  been  introduced 
into  the  town  about  1806  or  1807  ;  classes  were  formed  in 
1828  and  1831,  and,  for  some  time,  the  Methodists  in  this 
place  were  connected  with  those  in  Rowe.  Nothing  definite 
can  be  learned  respecting  the  origin  of  the  present  Methodist 
church  in  Charlemont.  Preaching  has  been  supplied  by 
Revs.  Samuel  Eigmy,  John  Nixon,  A.  Hulin,  E.  Andrews, 
J.  B.  Husted,  E.  Crawford,  J.  C.  Bonticou,  S.  W.  Sizer, 
William  Todd,  O.  C.  Bosworth,  Windsor  Ward,  Horace 
Moulton,  E.  P.  Stephens,  Samuel  Heath,  D.  K.  Bannister, 
William  Kimball,  C.  Hayward,  W.  Wilicutt,  Lyman  Wing, 
J.  W.  Lewis,  W.  Taylor,  E.  Bugbee,  E.  K.  Avery,  C.  C. 
Barnes,  Proctor  Marsh,  L.  Frost,  Porter  R.  Sawyer,  David 
Mason,  G.  W.  Green,  Moses  Palmer,  William  Bordwell,  E. 


80  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

A.  Manning,  Ichabod  Marcy,  Amasa  Taylor,  A.  A.  Cook, 
David  K.  Merrill,  and  William  Pentecost  in  1853.  Method- 
ist preachers  originating  from  Charlemont  :  Revs.  Daniel 
Graves,  Philo  Hawks,  David  L.  Winslow,  Otis  Legate  and 
William  Legate. 

Unitarians.  The  Unitarian  church  in  Charlemont  was 
formed  about  1830,  and  has  been  supplied  with  preaching 
by  Revs.  Joseph  Field,  C.  Nightingale,  William  Cushing, 
Benjamin  Parsons,  George  F.  Clarke,  Mr.  Hervey,  and  R. 
Bacon.  They  have  had  but  little  preaching  for  some  time 
past.     They  never  had  a  settled  pastor. 

Universalists.  Two  Universalist  preachers.  Revs.  Joseph 
Barber  and  William  Barber,  originated  from  Charlemont. 

Summary  of  Preachers  originating  from  Charlemont  :  Con- 
gregationalists,  5  ;  Baptists,  1  ;  Methodists,  5  ;  Universal- 
ists, 2.     Total,  13. 

COLERAINE. 

This  township  was  granted  in  1736,  and  for  a  time  was 
called  Boston  Township.  Settlements  began  as  early  as  the 
year  1742,  for  the  people  that  year  "voted  about  calling  a 
pious  Orthodox  minister  to  settle  with  them,"  and  applied  to 
Boston  Presbytery,  April  16,  1745,  for  preaching.  The  early 
settlers  were  chiefly  Scotch-Irish,  and  generally  Presbyteri- 
ans. In  the  town  four  garrisons  were  maintained,  one  of 
which  was  the  dwelling-house  of  the  first  minister,  Mr.  Mc- 
Dowell. Several  of  the  inhabitants  were  killed  and  some 
captured  by  the  Indians.  The  town  was  incorporated  June 
30,  1761,  and  received  its  name  in  honor  of  Lord  Coleraine 
of  Ireland.  Tradition  says  that  he  "  was  so  well  pleased 
with  the  honor  done  him,  that  he  sent  the  inhabitants  a  fine 
bell,  but,  through  the  unfaithfulness  of  the  agent  to  whom 
it  was  intrusted,  it  never  reached  them.  It  is  believed  to  be 
still  in  existence,  and  used  in  one  of  the  churches  in  Bos- 
ton."    See  Barber's  Historical  Collections  relating  to  Massa- 


OFCOLERAINE.  81 

chiisetts,  page  242.  The  population  of  Coleraine  in  1850 
was  1785.  Four  churches  have  been  organized  in  Coleraine, 
viz.,  one  Presbyterian,  which,  after  about  sixty  years,  was 
clianged  to  Congregational  :  two  Baptist  and  one  Methodist, 
all  of  which  are  in  existence,  having  meeting-houses  and 
preaching. 

CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

Church.  The  present  Congregational  church  was  origi- 
nally Presbyterian,  and,  as  its  early  records,  even  down  to 
1819,  are  not  to  be  found,  it  is  not  known  definitely  when 
the  church  was  organized.  In  1745  the  inhabitants  of  the 
town  sent  a  letter  to  Boston  Presbytery,  putting  themselves 
under  their  care,  and  asking  for  a  preacher.  "  June  5,  1750, 
the  Presbytery  appointed  Rev.  Mr.  Abercrombie  of  Pelham 
to  ordain  elders  among  them,  and  prepare  the  way  for  the 
administration  of  the  Lord's  Supper."  The  church  was 
probably  formed  not  long  after  this,  in  1750.  April  29, 
1819,  the  church  made  request  to  have  its  connection  with 
the  Presbytery  dissolved,  and  it  was  changed  in  its  organi- 
zation to  a  Congregational  church,  Dec.  9,  1819.  Four 
Meeting-houses  have  been  built  among  this  people ;  the  first 
was  commenced  about  1742,  and  located  about  a  mile  south- 
east of  the  present  one,  but  the  pulpit  and  pews  were  not 
finished  before  1769,  and,  in  October,  1764,  it  was  voted  to 
coloj^  the  Meeting-] Louse  blue ;  the  second  was  built  in  1795, 
about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  north  of  the  present  one  ;  the  third 
was  built  by  a  disaffected  party  in  1795,  about  two  miles 
south-east  of  the  present  one  ;  the  fourth  was  built  in  1834, 
and  was  remodelled  in  1853.  The  two  houses  built  in  1795 
were  for  many  years  occupied  alternately  on  the  Sabbath  by 
the  church  and  people.  A  revival  occurred  in  1831  in  con- 
nection with  a  protracted  religious  meeting,  and  about  fifty 
were  added  to  the  church.  An  interesting  account  of  it  was 
published  in  the  Greenfield  Gazette,  Aug.  1,  1831.  Rev. 
Mr.  Taggart,  in  his  published  farewell  sermon  to  the  people 
of  his  charge  in  Coleraine,  in  1819,  says  :  "  Our  church  has 
11 


82  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

been  uniformly  small,  as  we  have  never  seen  any  remarkable 
ingathering  time."  The  amount  contributed  to  the  cause  of 
benevolence,  in  1852,  was  ^14  55  ;  the  Sabbath  School,  in 
1852,  numbered  50  ;  and  the  number  in  the  church,  in  1853, 
was  42. 

Previous  to  the  settlement  of  a  pastor.  Rev.  Mr.  Aber- 
crombie  of  Pelham  supplied  occasionally  ;  Rev.  Daniel 
Mitchell,  from  Ireland,  supplied  in  1749,  1750,  and  1751,  to 
whom  the  people  gave  a  call  to  settle,  but  the  Presbytery, 
Aug.  13,  1751,  refused  to  have  him  settle  as  pastor.  After 
Mr.  McDowell's  death  the  people,  in  1763,  sent  for  Rev.  Mr. 
Thompson  in  Nassau  Hall,  N.  J.,  and  for  Rev.  Mr.  Paine  on 
Long  Island  ;  in  1764  Rev.  Mr.  Kinkead  supplied  them  ; 
in  1766  they  voted  to  have  Rev.  Jonathan  Leavitt  preach 
for  them  ;  April  13,  1767,  they  voted  to  call  Rev.  Simeon 
Miller  to  settle  as  pastor.  This  church  has  had  six  pastors, 
three  Presbyterian  and  three  Congregational. 

Pastors.  1.*  Rev.  Alexander  McDowell  was  ordained 
as  pastor,  according  to  the  records  of  the  Boston  Presbytery, 
of  which  he  was  a  member,  Sept.  28,  1753  ;  and  the  Pres- 
bytery appointed  Revs.  Messrs.  Parsons  of  Amesbury,  Aber- 
crombie  of  Pelham,  and  Prentice  of  Easton,  to  perform  the 
ordination.  He  is  represented  to  have  been  born  in  Ireland  ; 
he  graduated  at  Harvard  in  1751  ;  was  licensed  by  Boston 
Presbytery,  March  18,  1752,  and  supplied  Coleraine  for  some 
time  before  his  settlement  there.  He  preached  before  the 
Presbytery  according  to  their  appointment,  at  Newbrny,  Aug. 
14,  1752,  and  the  Presbytery  say  they  "found  his  dis- 
course to  be  censurable  to  a  high  degree  ;"  whereupon  he 
made  a  written  acknowledgment  that  he  "  had  used  hard, 
bitter,  and  injurious  reflections ;"  and  Presbytery  theji  voted 
that  he  should  be  "  solemnly  rebuked,  and,  upon  his  submis- 
sion, restored."  He  was  dismissed  from  his  charge  in  Cole- 
raine, and  according  to  tradition  on  account  of  intemperance, 
sometime  between  March  and  August,  1761,  and  died  in 
Coleraine  sometime   between  January  and  October,    1762, 


OFCOLERAINE.  83 

leaving  a  widow,  a  son  and  daughter.  He  was  buried  in  the 
old  burial  yard  near  the  first  meeting-house,  near  the  graves 
of  Hugh  Riddell's  family,  but  no  stone  marks  the  spot. 
Rev.  Mr.  McDowell  and  Rev.  Edward  Billings  of  Green- 
field are  the  only  pastors  buried  in  Franklin  County,  at 
whose  graves  no  stones  are  erected,  or  are  in  progress  of 
erection.  As  the  ministerial  lot  in  Coleraine  fell  to  Mr.  Mc- 
Dowell as  the  first  minister,  and  descended  to  his  widow, 
she  was  censured  by  the  people  for  not  providing  stones  for 
his  grave.  The  town.  May  9,  1768,  "  voted  not  to  get 
grave  stones  for  Mr.  McDowell's  grave."  His  family  long 
since  removed  from  this  part  of  the  country.  Mr.  McDow- 
ell's ministry  in  Coleraine  was  about  eight  years. 

2.*  Rev.  Daniel  McClellan's  salary  as  pastor  commenced 
June  1,  1769.  He  was  constituted  pastor  of  the  church  some 
time  previously  at  Philadelphia,  Penn.,  by  the  New  Castle 
Presbytery,  to  which  he  belonged.  He  received  the  call  from 
Coleraine,  Oct.  20,  1768,  and  was  dismissed  from  the  Pres- 
bytery to  go  to  Coleraine  some  time  subsequently.  He  was 
born  in  Pennsylvania  about  1737  ;  received  his  education  in 
Edinburgh,  Scotland,  and  in  Ireland  ;  was  ordained  in  Ire- 
land by  the  Reformed  Presbytery,  or  Covenanters  ;  came 
back  to  this  country  about  1766  ;  preached  two  years  in  the 
connection  of  the  Covenanters  ;  was  then  deposed  by  them 
for  owning  the  government  of  the  Presbyterian  Synod  of 
New  York  and  Philadelphia  ;  was  then  examined  and  re- 
ceived to  the  New  Castle  Presbytery  in  1768  ;  and  died 
pastor  at  Coleraine,  April  21,  1773,  in  his  36th  year.  Tra- 
dition says  that  Coleraine  church  twice  sent  a  man  to  Phila- 
delphia to  obtain  him  ;  and  also,  that  Mr.  McClellan,  having 
received  another  call,  and  being  undecided  which  to  accept, 
said  he  would  set  up  a  stick  of  wood  perpendicularly,  and 
let  it  fall,  and  to  whichever  of  the  two  places  towards  which 
it  should  fall  he  would  go  ;  and  the  stick  falling  towards 
Coleraine,  he  went  there.  Mr.  Hugh  Bolton  went  for  him, 
and  accompanied  him  and  his  wife  and  their  three  colored 


84  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

servants.  From  Troy,  N.  Y.,  they  were  obliged  to  go  on 
horseback.  From  Charlemont  to  Coleraine  it  was  then  a 
wilderness.  He  is  represented  as  having  been  a  man  of 
abilities,  a  good  scholar,  a  respectable  divine,  and,  what  then 
was  considered  rather  extraordinary  among  the  neighboring 
ministers  here,  a  Hebrician.  His  Hebrew  Bible,  published 
in  1609,  is  now  in  the  possession  of  Rev.  J.  McGee,  who 
married  his  grand-daughter.  His  grave  is  in  the  old  burial 
yard,  near  that  of  his  successor,  Rev.  Mr.  Taggart.  The 
epitaph  on  his  grave  stone  is  as  follows,  viz.  :  "In  memory 
of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Daniel  McClellan,  the  faithful  and  beloved 
pastor  of  the  church  of  Christ  in  Coleraine.  He  departed 
this  life  April  21,  1773,  in  the  36th  year  of  his  age." 
"  Write,  blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord,  &c. 
Rev.  xiv.  13."  Mr.  McClellan's  ministry  in  Coleraine  was 
about  four  years. 

3.*  Rev.  Samuel  Taggart  was  ordained  pastor,  Feb.  19, 
1777  ;  was  dismissed  from  his  pastoral  charge  by  the  Lon- 
donderry Presbytery  at  their  meeting,  Oct.  28,  1818  ;  preach- 
ed his  farewell  sermon  to  his  people,  Jan.  3,  1819,  which  was 
published  ;  and  he  died  in  Coleraine,  April  24,  1825,  aged 
71.  Mr.  Taggart  was  born  in  Londonderry,  N.  H.,  March 
24,  1754.  His  parents  were  emigrants  from  the  North  of 
Ireland.  His  father  was  a  ruling  elder  in  the  second  church 
in  Londonderry.  His  family  were  religiously  educated. 
Rev.  Mr.  Taggart  graduated  at  Dartmouth  in  1774  ;  studied 
theology  with  Rev.  David  McGregore  of  Londonderry,  N.  H. ; 
and  was  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Boston,  June  1,  1776. 
Being  a  member  of  that  Presbytery,  and,  without  consulting 
them,  having  conferred  with  the  Associate  Presbytery  of 
New  York  in  relation  to  uniting  with  them,  he  was  sum- 
moned before  the  Boston  Presbytery  as  an  offender,  and, 
after  a  long  discussion,  correspondence  and  delay,  he  was 
dismissed  June  2,  1785,  Avith  a  general  recommendation.  It 
appears  that  he  subsequently  joined  the  Londonderry  Pres- 
bytery.    That  Presbytery,  when  they  dismissed  him  from 


OFCOLERAINE.  OO 

Coleraine  church,  say,  in  their  records,  "  We  most  cordially 
recommend  him  to  the  christian  public  as  an  eminently  able 
and  faithful  minister  of  the  gospel  of  Christ." 

Mr.  Taggart's  first  wife  died  in  1815.  On  returning  from 
Congress,  after  an  absence  of  five  months,  he  found  her  in 
her  coffin,  and  several  of  his  children  on  sick  beds.  By  his 
first  wife  he  had  fourteen  children,  six  of  whom  are  living. 
By  his  second  wife,  who  was  from  Washington,  D.  C, 
and  who  lives  in  Guilford,  Vt.,  he  had  three  children,  who 
are  living. 

He  fulfilled  a  mission  under  the  Hampshire  Missionary 
Society  of  four  months,  in  1802,  in  the  western  counties  of 
New  York.  He  itinerated  and  travelled  over  1400  miles, 
and  has  left  a  detailed  and  lengthy  journal  of  his  mission. 
He  wrote  a  biography  of  himself,  consisting  of  sixty  quarto 
pages,  which  has  been  preserved.  He  published  a  volume 
on  the  "  Evidences  of  Christianity,"  a  treatise  on  the  Saints' 
Perseverance,  and  numerous  single  sermons,  orations,  and 
addresses.  He  was  a  representative  to  Congress  for  fourteen 
years,  from  1804,  and  read  the  Bible  through  every  winter 
he  spent  at  Washington.  His  absence  from  his  people 
proved  unfavorable  to  their  religious  prosperity.  John  Ran- 
dolph, who  was  in  Congress  with  him,  is  reported  to  have 
inquired  of  him  at  one  time,  "  And  with  whom  hast  thou 
left  those  few  sheep  in  the  wilderness  ?"  1  Sam.  xvii.  28. 
When  on  his  missionary  tour  near  Albany,  while  in  a  public 
house,  he  heard  a  man  use  profane  language,  and  said  to 
him,  that  from  his  appearance  he  judged  him  to  be  a 
man  of  veracity,  and  he  presumed  the  company  present 
would  take  his  simple  word  as  true  without  the  use  of  an 
oath.  The  man  apologized,  said  he  was  ashamed  of  him- 
self, for  his  mother  had  taught  him  better,  and  thanked  his 
reprover. 

A  ministerial  cotemporary  of  Mr.  Taggart  for  many  years, 
says  of  him  :  "His  sermons  were  evangelical,  scriptural,  able 
and  long.    He  once  said,  he  had  no  short  sermons.     He  was 


86  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

not  eloquent,  but  monotonous  and  dull  in  his  delivery.  He 
had  a  remarkably  tenacious  memory,  and  could  remember 
to  a  great  extent  the  ages  of  his  people  and  the  dates  of 
their  deaths.  He  was  eccentric  in  his  manners,  even  in  the 
pulpit."  While  in  college,  attending  a  religious  service,  he 
was  observed  to  be  busily  engaged  in  catching  flies.  When 
called  to  an  account  for  not  attending  to  the  exercises, 
he  told  the  college  officer  that  he  did  give  attention  to 
them,  and  could  repeat  what  was  said  ;  and  then  he  pro- 
ceeded to  repeat  what  was  uttered  on  the  occasion  witli 
great  correctness.  In  the  early  part  of  his  ministry  in  Cole- 
raine,  he  is  represented  as  having  rode  on  horseback  to 
Rev,  Mr.  Hubbard's,  in  ShelburnC;  holding  in  his  hands  a 
riding-stick  and  a  large  jack-knife,  and  was  found  by  Mr, 
Hubbard,  dismounting  before  his  door,  thus  armed,  who  jo- 
cosely accosted  him :  "  Mr,  Taggart  are  you  for  war  ? "  upon 
which  Mr,  T,  replied,  that  soon  after  he  started  from  home, 
he  used  his  knife  to  cut  a  stick,  and  had  not  thought  of 
having  it  in  his  hand  since  then.  In  his  preaching,  he  was 
accustomed  to  say  frequently,  '  aye  but,'  and  would  occa- 
sionally turn  so  far  around  as  to  look  out  of  the  pulpit  win- 
dow. In  public  prayer  his  eyes  would  often  be  open,  and 
he  would  watch  persons  entering  the  church  at  such  times, 
till  they  reached  their  seats.  In  telling  a  story,  his  eccen- 
tricity strikingly  appeared,  as  the  author  well  recollects. 
When  he  came  to  the  gist  of  the  story,  he  would  become 
animated,  straighten  himself  up  in  his  chair,  rub  his  hands 
together  with  much  earnestness,  and  run  out  his  tongue  and. 
roll  it  rapidly  from  one  side  of  his  mouth  to  the  other.  He 
was  not  accustomed  to  visit  his  people  very  much,  or  to  be 
very  familiar  with  them.  He  found  it  difficult,  even  to  con- 
verse with  his  own  children  on  religious  subjects  in  a  per- 
sonal manner.  When  one  of  his  sons  was  at  one  time  in  an 
interesting  state  of  mind,  and  he  wished  to  have  him  in- 
structed, he  did  not  feel  free  to  converse  with  him,  but 
wrote  over  a  sheet  of  paper  to  impart  counsel  and  instruc- 


OFCOLERAINE.  87 

tion  to  him,  and  requested  a  neighboring  minister  to  con- 
verse with  him.  In  person,  Mr.  Taggart  had  a  large  frame, 
was  fleshy,  was  slow  and  moderate  in  his  movements.  His 
funeral  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Dr.  Packard  of  Shel- 
burne.  The  epitaph  on  his  gravestone  is  as  follows,  viz. : — 
"  This  stone  is  erected  in  memory  of  Rev.  Samuel  Taggart, 
who  was  born  March  24,  1754.  Was  ordained  in  this  place, 
Feb.  19,  1777.  Represented  this  District  in  Congress  four- 
teen years ;  and  died  April  24,  1825.  He  had  an  amiable 
disposition,  a  discerning  and  well-improved  understanding ; 
was  an  able  divine ;  and  preached  the  gospel  with  delight, 
until  a  few  days  before  he  departed,  as  we  trust,  to  be  with 
Christ." 

"  My  Saviour  shall  my  life  restore, 
And  raise  me  from  my  dark  abode ; 
My  flesh  and  soul  shall  part  no  more, 
But  dwell  forever  near  my  God." 

The  following  obituary  of  him  appeared  in  the  Franklin 
Herald,  Greenfield,  Mass.,  May  10,  1825: — "He  was  pos- 
sessed of  native  mind  and  talent  above  the  ordinary  stand- 
ard ;  his  perceptions  clear,  his  memory  peculiarly  retentive, 
and  his  judgment  sound.  These  he  improved  in  the  course 
of  his  life  by  extensive  reading  and  by  application  to  those 
various  branches  of  knowledge  too,  which  lay  beyond  the 
sphere  of  his  immediate  profession.  His  religious  sentiments 
were  evangelical,  commonly  denominated  Orthodox.  These 
he  apparently  derived  from  a  careful,  extensive  and  repeated 
examination  of  the  sacred  scriptures.  In  regard  to  religious 
doctrine,  he  was  neither  shackled  by  human  systems,  nor 
swayed  by  the  opinions  of  men.  The  Bible,  which  he  pe- 
rused much  in  early  life,  was  his  standard.  *  *  *  His  mode 
of  delivery  in  preaching,  was  not  in  itself  alluring  and  pleas- 
ant ;  nevertheless  his  sermons  were  always  instructive,  evan- 
gelical, and  weighty :  they  were  peculiarly  rich  with  Bible 
truth  and  doctrine,  Bible  proof  and  argument,  Bible  illustra- 


88  CHURCHES     AND     JflNISTERS 

tion  and  spirituality,  combining  in  due  proportion  and  in 
proper  connection,  doctrinal,  practical  and  experimental  re- 
ligion. *  *  *  His  general  ability  and  integrity,  his  general 
character  and  worth,  procured  for  him  a  large  share  of  re- 
spect and  confidence  from  that  extensive  portion  of  enlight- 
ened community  which  knew  him.  *  *  *  The  productions 
of  his  pen  are  not  unworthy  of  notice  and  commendation. 
Although,  in  point  of  taste  and  ornament,  he  hardly  kept 
pace  with  the  hastening  step  of  improvement  in  what  is 
called  the  art  of  fine  icrithig,  still,  however,  his  writings  are 
all  interesting  and  valuable."  Mr.  Taggart's  ministry  in 
Coleraine  was  about  forty-one  years  and  a  half. 

During  Mr.  Taggart's  absence  at  Washington,  and  be- 
tween his  dismission  and  the  resettlement  of  the  ministry,  a 
large  number  of  ministers  preached  to  this  church  as  supplies : 
among  whom  were  Revs.  Robert  Hubbard,  Dr.  A.  Chandler, 
Pliny  Fisk,  Dr.  Edward  Hitchcock,  Preserved  Smith,  Jr., 
Dan  Huntington,  Mr.  Torrey,  Mr.  Brackett,  Jairus  Burt,  and 
Horatio  Flagg,  the  last  of  whom  declined  a  call  in  1827  to 
settle. 

4.  Rev.  Aretas  Loomis  was  installed  Aug.  5,  1829,  and 
Rev,  Thomas  Shepard,  then  of  Ashfield,  preached  on  the 
occasion  ;  and  he  was  dismissed  after  a  ministry  of  about  six 
years  in  Coleraine,  March  9,  1836.  Mr.  Loomis  was  born 
in  Southampton,  Dec.  19,  1790  ;  graduated  at  Williams  in 
1815;  studied  theology  with  Rev.  Vinson  Gould  of  South- 
ampton ;  was  licensed  by  the  Hampshire  Association,  Au- 
gust, 1817;  was  ordained  as  an  Evangelist  at  Belcherto wn. 
May,  1818,  and  the  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Sylvester 
Woodbridge,  then  of  Greenfield  ;  was  a  missionary  one  year, 
under  the  Hampshire  Missionary  Society,  in  Western  Vir- 
ginia;  preached  as  stated  supply  in  Randolph  County,  Va.. 
for  six  and  a  half  years  from  1819  ;  preached  in  West  Wind- 
sor, Vt.,  six  months  in  1826  and  1827 ;  supplied  in  Castle- 
ton,  Vt.,  in  1827 ;  began  to  supply  in  Coleraine  in  1828. 
After  his  dismission  from   Coleraine,  was  installed   in  the 


OF     C  OLERAINE 


89 


second  Congregational  church  in  Bennington,  Vt.,  April  27, 

1836,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Charles  Walker  preached  the  sermon  ; 
was  dismissed  from  Bennington,  Nov.  6,  1850 ;  then  sup- 
plied in  New  Preston,  Ct.  ;  in  October,  1851,  removed  to 
Hebron,  N.  Y.,  where  he  has  since  lived  and  preached.  Mr. 
Loomis  has  two  sons,  who  are  ministers,  a  notice  of  whom 
may  be  found  in  the  account  of  ministers  originating  from 
Coleraine. 

Between  the  dismission  of  Mr.  Loomis  and  the  settlement 
of  the  next  pastor,  the  church  was  supplied  by  the  Rev. 
Messrs.  Packards  of  Shelburne. 

5.  Rev.  Horatio  Flagg  was  installed  as  pastor.  May  3, 

1837,  and  Rev.  T.  Packard,  Jr.,  preached  the  sermon;  and  he 
was  dismissed,  May  23,  1848.  Mr.  Flagg  was  born  in  Wil- 
mington, Vt.,  Jan.  24,  1798  ;  graduated  at  Amherst  in  1825  ; 
studied  theology  with  Dr.  Packard  of  Shelburne ;  was  li- 
censed by  Franklin  Association,  February,  1827 ;  supplied 
in  Coleraine  in  .1827;  was  ordained  in  Hubbardston,  Yt., 
Jan.  24,  1828,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Charles  Walker  preached  on  the 
occasion ;  was  dismissed  from  Hubbardston,  June  10,  1834 ; 
installed  in  Clarendon,  Vt.,  in  1835,  and  Rev.  Ira  Ingram  of 
Brandon,  Vt.,  preached  the  sermon  ;  was  dismissed  from  Clar- 
endon, Nov.  15,  1836  ;  then  began  to  supply  at  Coleraine. 
In  1851,  Mr.  Flagg  represented  the  town  in  the  State  Leg- 
islature. Since  his  dismission,  he  has  continued  to  reside  in 
Coleraine.    His  ministry  in  Coleraine  was  about  eleven  years. 

6.  Rev.  Cyrus  W.  Allen  was  installed  pastor,  Feb.  28, 
1849,  and  Rev.  John  C.  Paine  of  Gardner  preached  the  ser- 
mon ;  and  was  dismissed,  Nov.  23,  1852.  Mr.  Allen  was 
born  in  Taunton,  Oct.  28,  1806 ;  graduated  at  Brown  in 
1826 ;  studied  theology  at  Andover ;  ordained  as  an  Evan- 
gelist at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  Oct.  6,  1833 ;  was  an  agent  of  the 
Tract  Society  for  three  or  four  years,  in  Illinois  and  Mis- 
souri, after  being  licensed  ;  was  a  stated  preacher  for  two 
years  at  Potosi,  Mo. ;  installed  as  pastor  in  Norton,  July  8, 
1835 ;  and  was  soon  dismissed  from  there ;  installed  pastor  in 

12 


90  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

Pelham,  N.  H.,  Feb.  1,  1843 ;  and  dismissed  from  there, 
May  12,  1847:  and  installed  at  Hubbardston,  Dec.  29, 
1852,  and  Rev.  J.  W.  Chickering  preached  the  sermon. 
Mr.  Allen  remains  a  pastor  in  Hubbardston.  Mr.  Allen's 
ministry  in  Coleraine  was  nearly  four  years. 

Since  the  dismission  of  their  last  pastor,  this  church  has 
been  supplied  to  some  extent  by  Rev.  L.  L.  Langstroth. 

Of  the  six  pastors  of  this  church,  five  were  dismissed ; 
three  are  still  living ;  and  the  average  length  of  their  pasto- 
rates was  about  twelve  years. 

CONGREGATIONAL   MINISTERS    ORIGINATING   FROM   COLERAINE. 

.  1.  Rev.  Oren  Johnson  was  born  in  Coleraine,  Feb.  22, 
1801 ;  graduated  at  Williams  in  1829 ;  finished  the  theolog- 
ical course  at  Auburn  in  1832 ;  was  licensed  by  Franklin 
Association,  September,  1831 ;  ordained  as  an  Evangelist  in 
N.  Y.  State,  Sept.  17,  1833,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Higgins  of  Bath, 
N.  Y.,  preached  the  sermon.  Mr.  Johnson  was  never  in- 
stalled as  the  pastor  of  any  church.  He  was  employed  as  a 
Home  Missionary  several  years  in  Steuben  County,  N.  Y., 
and  Elkland,  Penn.  In  1844  he  removed  to  Beaver  Dam, 
Dodge  County,  Wisconsin.  He  has  supplied  that  place  and 
Clason's  Prairie  more  or  less.  He  still  lives  in  Beaver  Dam. 
2.  Rev.  Areias  G.  Loomis,  son  of  Rev.  Aretas  Loomis, 
was  born  in  Randolph  County,  Va.,  Oct.  16,  1820 ;  lived 
there  about  six  years,  and  about  two  years  in  Greenfield, 
and  from  1828  to  1836,  in  Coleraine.  He  graduated  at  Wil- 
liams in  1844 ;  finished  his  theological  course  at  East  Wind- 
sor Hill  in  1847 ;  supplied  six  months  in  West  Charlemont, 
and  six  months  in  Colebrook,  Ct. ;  was  ordained  as  pastor 
in  Bethlehem,  Ct.,  Jan.  30,  1850,  and  his  father  preached 
the  sermon.  He  is  still  in  Bethlehem.  He  was  licensed  by 
the  Hampshire  Association  in  July,  1846.  He  was  married 
in  1853,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  M.,  a  great-grand-daughter  of 
Rev.  Dr.  Joseph  Bellamy. 

3.  Rev.  Elihu  Loomis,  son  of  Rev.  A.  Loomis,  was  born 


OF     C  OLERAINE.  91 

in  Randolph  County,  Va.,  Oct.  13,  1823,  and  lived  there 
about  three  years,  and  two  years  in  Greenfield,  and  eight 
years  in  Coleraine.  He  graduated  at  Williams  in  1847; 
finished  the  theological  course  at  Princeton,  N.  J.,  in  1850; 
and  was  ordained  pastor  in  North  Pownal,  Vt.,  Oct.  22, 
1851,  and  the  sermon  was  preached  by  his  father.  Mr. 
Loomis  was  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of  New  Brunswick, 
N.  J.,  in  1850,  and  immediately  began  to  preach  at  Pownal, 
where  he  was  settled.  Ill  health  constrained  him  to  leave 
his  people,  and  request  a  dismission  in  May,  1853,  though 
the  pastoral  relation  is  not  formally  dissolved.  Since  then 
he  has  resided  chiefly  at  Bedford.  He  was  married  Nov.  25, 
1851,  to  Miss  R.  Augusta  Lane  of  Bedford. 

4.  Rev.  Lorenzo  Lyons  was  born  in  Coleraine,  April  18, 
1807;  lived  there  for  about  twelve  years,  then  lived  in  Mon- 
trose, Penn.,  and  subsequently  in  New  York.  He  gradu- 
ated at  Union  in  1827 ;  finished  the  theological  course  at 
Auburn  in  1831;  was  ordained  as  a  Foreign  Missionary  at 
Auburn,  N.  Y.,  Oct.  20,  1831,  and  Rev.  Josiah  Hopkins 
preached  on  the  occasion.  He  embarked  for  the  Sandwich 
Islands,  Nov.  26,  1831;  reached  Waimea,  July  16,  1832; 
was  constituted  pastor  of  the  native  church  in  Waimea,  by 
the  Hawaiian  Clerical  Association  in  June,  1835. 

In  a  letter  to  the  author,  dated  June  23,  1852,  Mr.  Lyons 
says:  "In  the  autumn  of  1836  some  cheering  signs  appeared. 
There  was  the  commencement  of  a  revival.  In  May,  1837, 
Mrs.  Lyons  died,  while  we  were  attending  the  general  meet- 
ing of  the  Missionaries  at  Honolulu.  On  my  return,  the  re- 
vival was  still  progressing.  A  new  impulse  was  given  to  it 
by  the  death  of  Mrs.  L.,  to  whom  the  people  were  much  at- 
tached. The  work  went  on  with  great  power.  I  was  occu- 
pied day  and  night  with  inquiring  souls.  My  house  was 
thronged.  The  revival  continued  for  two  or  three  years,  till 
nearly  all  the  people  in  my  field  were  professedly  converted 
and  gathered  into  the  church.  The  whole  number  received 
to  this  church,  on  examination,  is  6,169,  of  whom   about 


92  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

3.000  have  deceased.  While  it  must  be  acknowledged  that 
this  was  a  great  and  marvellous  revival,  yet  after  several 
years'  observation,  I  am  thoroughly  convinced,  that  a  great 
number  of  the  professed  converts  were  deceivers  and  de- 
ceived. Many  have  apostatized ;  and  many,  who  remain  as 
still  connected  with  the  church,  will  probably  never  reach 
heaven.  *  *  *  After  laboring  twenty  years  among  the  hea- 
then, I  have  come  to  the  conclusion,  that  it  is  a  great  work 
to  fit  a  heathen  soul  for  heaven.  With  man  it  is  impossible. 
Though  the  Sandwich  Islands  may  boast  of  having  the 
largest  churches  in  the  world,  yet  should  trying  times  come, 
multitudes  now  in  the  church  will  doubtless  fall  away,  and 
be  found  no  longer  with  the  followers  of  Jesus.  At  the  day 
of  Judgment  it  is  to  be  feared,  that  though  multitudes  have 
been  called,  but  few  will  be  chosen  as  fit  subjects  for  heaven. 
Let  me  repeat  it,  and  let  my  humble  declaration  be  sounded 
throughout  Christendom — it  is  a  great  and  sloiv  work  to  con- 
vert and  christianize  a  heathen  nation.  Missionaries  must  be 
satisfied  with  slow  and  small  progress;  and  their  supporters 
must  learn  to  join  in  the  satisfaction.  The  great  probability 
is,  that  but  few  of  the  heathen  will  be  saved.  Yet  those  few 
are  to  be  saved  out  of  the  midst  of  multitudes,  and  that 
through  the  knowledge  of  the  gospel.  There  is  no  other 
medium,  through  which  these  chosen  few  can  secure  the 
blessings  of  the  great  salvation.  Ignorant  of  the  glorious 
gospel,  all  must  be  lost.  Hence  the  Saviour's  last  injunc- 
tion :  '  Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to 
every  creature.'  And  this  injunction  must  be  obeyed,  or 
none  will  be  saved.  Obeyed,  some  will  be  saved,  though 
multitudes,  who  hear,  will  reject  the  offers  of  salvation,  and 
perish  forever.  But  the  salvation  of  the  few  will  fill  all 
heaven  with  shouts  of  rejoicing,  and  prove  a  source  of  joy 
unspeakable  through  the  ages  of  eternity."  Mr.  Lyons  is 
still  in  Waimea. 

5.*  Rev.  Luke  Lyons,  brother  of  Rev.  Lorenzo  Lyons,  was 
born  in  Coleraine,  Oct.  2,  1791,  and  lived  there  chiefly  till 


OFCOLERAINE.  93 

about  1812,  and  then  went  to  Albany,  N.  Y.,  where  he  en- 
gaged in  teaching  and  in  preparing  for  the  ministry.  He 
never  graduated  at  any  college,  but  received  the  honorary 
degree  of  A.  M.,  from  Williams,  in  1823  ;  completed  the 
course  of  theological  study  at  Princeton,  N.  J.,  in  1821;  was 
licensed  by  the  Albany  Presbytery,  Sept.  20,  1821 ;  then 
preached  in  Dorchester,  S.  C. ;  ordained  as  an  Evangelist 
at  Albany,  N.  Y.,  Oct.  8,  1822,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Monteith 
preached;  supplied  in  Esperance,  N.  Y.,  and  was  installed 
pastor  there  in  August,  1824,  and  left  there,  Oct.  1,  1827 ; 
was  installed  as  pastor  in  Cortlandville,  N.  Y.,  July  30,  1828, 
and  Rev.  Dr.  Lansing  preached  on  the  occasion ;  remained 
there  about  four  years ;  installed  pastor  in  Rochester,  N.  Y., 
March  12,  1833 ;  remained  there  about  six  years  ;  was  then 
a  pastor  in  Allegan,  Mich.,  about  two  years  ;  was  then  pastor 
in  Jerseyville,  111.,  from  1840  till  his  death,  in  1845.  Cor- 
respondents, acquainted  with  him,  say  of  him :  "  He  was  in- 
deed very  much  beloved  among  all  his  acquaintance,  and 
the  Lord  smiled  upon  his  labors  :"  "  He  was  a  faithful,  de- 
voted, and  successful  minister:"  "As  a  pastor  he  was 
greatly  beloved.  He  was  eminently  successful  in  building 
up  churches,  and  in  winning  souls  to  Christ.  Converts  multi- 
plied under  his  preaching.  While  his  interest  and  sympathy 
extended  to  all  ages,  classes,  and  conditions,  the  young  were 
his  peculiar  care.  He  was  singularly  successful  in  discover- 
ing and  developing  talent ;  in  finding  hands  for  all  work, 
and  work  for  all  hands,  in  the  Lord's  vineyard ;  in  guiding 
the  young,  through  a  preparation  for,  and  into,  fields  of  use- 
fulness ;  in  getting  young  men  into  the  ministry.  The  in- 
fluence of  his  benevolent  and  genial  spirit,  not  confined  to 
his  own  church,  was  diffused  throughout  the  communities 
where  he  labored.  He  sought  to  elevate  society  by  the  es- 
tablishment of  schools  and  seminaries  of  a  high  order,  and 
the  multiplying  of  other  means  of  information."  He  mar- 
ried Miss  Aurelia  Fobes,  who  survives  him,  and  has  charge 
of  the  Montecille  Female  Seminary  in  Godfrey,  111.     Mr. 


94  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

Lyons  died  in  Jerseyville,  111.,  Jan.  11,  1845,  aged  53.  His 
funeral  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  A.  T.  Norton,  of  Al- 
ton, 111. 

6.  Rev.  Jonathan  Mc  Gee  was  born  in  Coleraine,  Oct.  5, 
1789;  graduated  at  Williams  in  1814;  completed  the  the- 
ological course  at  Andover  in  1817  ;  was  licensed  by  the 
Londonderry  Presbytery  in  April,  1817  ;  was  ordained  as 
pastor  in  Brattleboro',  East  Village,  Vt.,  Jan.  13,  1819,  and 
Rev.  Samuel  Taggart,  then  of  Coleraine,  preached  the  sermon ; 
was  dismissed  from  there,  September,  1834  ;  installed  pas- 
tor of  the  first  church  in  Dunstable,  N.  H.,  (now  Nashua,) 
Jan.  1,  1835,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Barstow  of  Keene,  N.  H., 
preached  the  sermon  ;  was  dismissed  from  there,  June,  1842 ; 
installed  pastor  in  Francestown,  N.  H.,  Aug.  16,  1843,  and 
Rev.  Dr.  Amos  Blanchard  of  Lowell  preached  the  sermon  ; 
was  dismissed  from  there,  Oct.  25,  1850  ;  began  to  preach 
in  Greenfield,  N.  H.,  January  1851,  where  he  still  resides 
and  preaches.  During  Mr.  McGee's  ministry  in  Brattleboro' 
three  revivals  were  enjoyed  ;  one  in  1827,  by  which  twenty- 
five  were  added  to  the  church  ;  one  in  1831  and  1832,  and 
ninety-five  were  added  ;  one  in  1833,  and  one  hundred  and 
two  were  added  ;  and  during  his  ministry  in  Nashua  a  re- 
vival was  enjoyed,  in  1837,  and  sixty  were  added  ;  one  in 
1842,  and  about  one  hundred  hopeful  conversions  were  the 
fruit  of  it. 

7.*  Rev.  William  Riddel  was  born  in  Coleraine,  Feb.  4, 
1768 ;  graduated  at  Dartmouth  in  1793 ;  studied  theology  with 
Rev.  Dr.  Burton  of  Thetford,  Vt. ;  was  licensed  at  Newbury, 
Vt.,  in  January,  1794  ;  afterwards  spent  five  months  with 
Rev.  Dr.  Emmons  of  Franklin  ;  supplied  in  Charlemont  and 
Chesterfield  ;  ordained  as  pastor  in  Bristol,  Me.,  in  August, 
1796,  and  dismissed  in  1804  ;  spent  about  one  year  as  a 
missionary  in  New  York  ;  supplied  in  Townsend,  Vt.,  from 
1808  to  1810  ;  occupied  a  farm  in  Gill  from  1810  to  1815, 
and  preached  occasionally  ;  installed  in  Whitingham,  Vt., 
Sept.  27,  1815,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Dr.  Packard  ; 


OF     COLERAINE, 


94 


dismissed  from  there,  August,  1817  ;  resided  in  Bernardstoii 
from  1817  to  1819  ;  then  in  Hadley  two  years  ;  then  in  Ber- 
nardston  about  twelve  years  ;  and  afterwards  chiefly  in  South 
Deerfield,  till  his  death  in  1849,  Oct.  24,  at  the  age  of  82. 
Mr.  Riddel  indulged  a  hope  in  Christ  while  teaching  in  Con- 
way, and  during-  a  revival,  in  the  winter  of  1788-9.  In 
1797  he  married  a  daughter  of  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  Hopkins  of 
Hadley,  She  died  in  1813.  Of  seven  children,  three  be- 
came heads  of  families,  two  of  whom  are  now  living,  one  of 
whom  is  Rev.  Samuel  H.  Riddel,  a  notice  of  whom  may  be 
foujud  in  the  account  of  ministers  originating  from  Gill. 

The  following  extracts  are  from  a  manuscript  biographical 
account  of  Mr.  Riddel,  prepared  by  his  son  :  "  His  sermons, 
though  little  set  oif  with  the  graces  of  rhetoric  or  of  oratory, 
in  which  he  did  not  excel,  were  clear,  logical,  sound,  earnest 
and  instructive."  "  From  conscientious  views,  in  regard  to 
the  use  of  property,  and  a  desire  to  have  the  means  of  doing 
good  beyond,  as  well  as  within,  the  circle  of  his  own  private 
relationships  and  attachments,  he  always  practised  the  strict- 
est economy  with  more  than  ordinary  self-denial.  It  was 
not  to  accumulate  or  hoard  property  that  he  was  careful  of 
personal  expenses,  but  because  he  valued  it  for  nobler  and 
more  liberal  purposes.  Few  men  ever  regarded  property 
with  a  slighter  attachment  for  its  own  sake,  or  appropriated 
it  more  cheerfully  for  all  benevolent  objects,  whether  of  a 
public  or  private  nature,  which  seemed  to  him  to  have  a 
valid  claim  upon  the  support  of  christians.  His  sympathy 
with  the  designs  and  movements  of  these  great  objects  was 
strong  and  active  ;  and  the  satisfaction  which  he  found  in 
contributing  something  from  time  to  time  for  their  advance- 
ment was  far  superior  to  that  of  any  mere  personal  indul- 
gence." It  has  been  ascertained  that  his  contributions  to 
benevolent  objects  previous  to  his  death  amounted  to  more 
than  $4,000,  and  his  bequests  by  will  to  such  objects 
amounted  to  nearly  an  equal  sum.  "  When  it  is  considered 
that  in  his  youth  he  gave  up  his  whole  patrimony  to  his 


96 


CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 


brothers;  that  he  obtained  his  education  by  his  own  unaided 
efforts  ;  that  he  realized  less  from  his  profession  than  almost 
any  minister  of  his  day,  his  salary  never  having  exceeded 
three  hundred  dollars  annually ;  that  he  never  devoted  him- 
self to  any  scheme  for  amassing  property  ;  and  that  he  re- 
ceived no  aid  in  this  respect  from  his '  family,  his  case 
furnishes  an  eminent  example  of  what,  under  the  Divine 
blessing,  may  be  accomplished  by  economy  and  careful 
management,  from  a  high  benevolent  motive."  '-During  a 
considerable  portion  of  his  life  he  kept  a  private  record  of 
his  spiritual  exercises."  "  During  the  last  two  years  of  his 
life  he  entered  upon  and  nearly  completed  a  careful  revision 
of  all  his  manuscript  sermons."  "  He  possessed  naturally  a 
strong  physical  constitution,  and  enjoyed  remarkably  uni- 
form health  during  the  whole  course  of  a  life,  which  was  con- 
tinued until  he  had  nearly  completed  his  eighty-second  year. 
Only  once  did  he  remember  being  confined  by  sickness, 
which  was  by  a  slight  attack  of  fever  during  one  of  his 
college  vacations.  He  retained  all  his  faculties  of  body  and 
mind  in  unusual  vigor  to  the  last."  His  views  and  feelings 
during  his  last  sickness,  and  when  near  death,  may  be  learned 
from  the  following  record  of  his  expressions :  ''  I  have  no  other 
plea,"  said  he,  "but  that  of  the  poor  publican."  A  clergy- 
man conversing  with  him  made  some  reference  to  his  life, 
and  his  experience  as  a  christian  and  a  minister  of  the 
gospel,  as  furnishing  a  source  of  peaceful  reflection  now, 
"  That,"  he  said,  "  does  not  satisfy  me.  People  will  say 
you  have  been  a  christian  so  long  we  suppose  you  have  no 
anxiety  :  you  have  nothing  to  do  but  to  die  ;  as  if  religion 
were  like  money  in  the  bank,  and  they  should  say,  you  have 
so  much  of  it  laid  up  that  you  are  secure — you  can't  break. 
But  my  view  of  religion  is  different.  Religion  is  a  thing, 
which,  to  enjoy  it,  you  must  have  it — must  have  it  in 
exercise.'''  "  The  Saviour  will  do  right  to  hide  from  me  the 
light  of  his  countenance  at  this  time,  I  have  so  often  back- 
slidden from  him.     But  O,  to  see  him  in  the  beauty  and 


OFCOLERAINE.  97 

glory  of  his  character."  "  God  is  all  my  salvation,  and  all 
my  desire."  Being  asked,  a  day  or  two  before  his  death, 
if  it  were  the  will  of  God,  conld  you  not  give  yourself  into 
his  hand  this  day?  "  Yes,  this  moment,"  was  his  reply. 
When  it  was  supposed  that  he  would  never  more  recognize 
those  around  him,  he  again  opened  his  eyes  upon  them,  and, 
speaking  to  his  son,  said,  "  Do  you  see  that  I  am  dying  ? 
The  Lord  bless  you  all.  I  am  calm  and  resigned — calm 
and  resigned.  I  have  been  remarkably  calm  all  day.'^ 
Then,  in  a  voice  of  the  most  heavenly  sweetness  and  seren- 
ity, he  offered  a  few  petitions  of  fervent  prayer,  entirely- 
appropriate  to  his  case,  which  were  the  last  audible  supplica- 
tions breathed  from  his  lips  to  the  eternal  throne.  He  con- 
tinued for  some  time  longer  ;  but,  without  any  struggle  at 
last,  his  hands  composed  upon  his  breast  as  in  a  gentle  slum- 
ber, he  fell  asleep  in  Jesus."  Dr.  John  Woodbridge  of  Had*- 
ley  preached  the  funeral  sermon.  His  remains  were  removed 
to  Gill  and  buried  by  the  side  of  those  of  his  wife,  and  an 
appropriate  service  was  performed  on  the  occasion  by  Rev. 
Josiah  W.  Canning. 

8.*  Rev.  Hugh  Wallis  was  born  in  Coleraine,  June  15, 
1767,  whose  father,  James  Wallis,  was  an  elder  in  Rev.  Mr. 
Taggart's  church  ;  graduated  at  Dartmouth  in  1791 ;  studied 
theology  at  Cambridge  ;  was  licensed  by  Berkshire  Associa- 
tion, June  14,  1793  ;  ordained  at  Bath,  Me.,  Dec.  9,  1795, 
and  Rev.  Eliphalet  Gillett  preached  the  sermon,  which  was 
published  ;  dismissed  from  there,  Aug.  16,  ISOCi ;  installed 
in  Pompey,  N.  Y.,  Jan.  5,  1803,  and  dismissed  from  there, 
Jan.  1,  1809  ;  installed  in  Norwich  Society,  Litchfield, 
N.  Y.,  Dec.  5,  1809;  dismissed  from  there,  April  20,  1814; 
then  performed  a  mission  in  Genesee  County,  N.  Y.  ;  then 
preached  in  Pembroke,  N.  Y.,  and  afterwards  about  a  year 
in  Gates,  where  he  lived  six  years  after  he  ceased  preaching, 
and  died  in  1848.  He  also  preached  in  Sheldon  and  Alden, 
N.  Y.,  and  was  instahed  in  Stockton,  N.  Y.  He  aided  in 
forming  many  of  the  churches  in  Western  New  York,,  and 
13 


98  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

the  Presbytery  of  Genesee  ;  for  more  than  twenty-five  years 
his  house  was  a  home  for  ministers  in  that  region.  He  was 
married  to  Miss  Mary  Duncan  of  Coleraine  in  1798,  who 
died  in  1805,  and  who  was  sister  to  the  first  wife  of  Rev. 
Samuel  Taggart,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Hugh,  now 
living  in  Pembroke,  N.Y. ;  was  married  to  Susannah  Upham 
in  1808,  who  died  in  1837  ;  and  was  married  to  Mrs.  Nabby 
Butterfield  in  1839,  who  survives  him.  He  died  in  Gates, 
N.  Y.,  Sept.  7,  1848,  aged  81.  Rev.  James  Ballintine 
preached  his  funeral  sermon.  The  epitaph  on  his  grave- 
stone is  the  following  :  "  He  has  gone  down  to  his  grave, 
like  a  shock  of  corn  fully  ripe." 

Of  the  eight  Congregational  and  Presbyterian  ministers 
here  reckoned  as  sons  of  Coleraine,  six  were  natives  of  the 
town ;  seven  were  graduates  ;  seven  were  pastors  of  churches  ; 
one  is  a  foreign  missionary  ;  and  five  are  living. 

OTHER    DENOMINATIONS. 

Baptists.  The  first  Baptist  church  in  Coleraine  was 
formed  Sept.  5,  1780,  with  nineteen  members.  Among  the 
preachers  who  have  supplied  this  church  are  Revs.  E.  Smith, 
Obed  Warren,  John  Green,  R.  Freeman,  Thomas  Purrington, 
George  Witherill,  James  Parsons,  George  Robinson,  J.  M. 
Purrington,  Joseph  Hodges,  Francis  Smith,  Milo  Frary,  An- 
thony V.  Dimmock,  and  William  E.  Stowe  in  1853.  This 
church  had  96  members  in  1853.  The  second  Baptist 
church  was  formed  in  1786  ;  and  in  1853  had  thirty  mem- 
bers ;  Rev.  Edmond  Littlefield  preached  to  them  eighteen 
years  ;  Revs.  Mr.  Smith  and  Arad  Hall  supplied  one  year 
each  ;  Rev.  Edward  Davenport  has  supplied  them  more  or 
less  for  about  thirty-five  years  ;  to  some  extent,  preaching 
has  been  furnished  by  Revs.  D.  H.  Grant,  Nathaniel  Ripley 
and  C.  L.  Baker,  and  A.  W.  Goodnow.  Methodist  preachers 
have  also  occupied  their  house  of  worship  considerably  since 
1830.  The  following  Baptist  ministers  are  from  Coleraine, 
viz..    Revs.    Stephen    Call,    Anson    Clark,   Ichabod    Clark, 


OFCONWAY.  99 

Frederic  Freeman,  Joseph  Freeman,  Jeremiah  Hall,  Daniel 
B.  Purrington,  Jesse  M.  Purrington,  Thomas  Purrington, 
Moses  Randall,  Joshua  Vincent,  J.  Ransom  Washburn,  Jona- 
than Wilson,  Edward  Davenport,  and  Israel  W.  Wood. 

C-H-R-i-s-T-i-A-N-s.  One  C-h-r-i-s-t-i-a-n  preacher.  Rev. 
Harvey  Totman,  originated  from  Coleraine. 

Methodists.  A  Methodist  class  was  formed  in  1832  ; 
and  the  earliest  records  of  the  church  date  back  to  1836. 
The  following  preachers  have  supplied  preaching,  viz.,  Revs. 
J.  D.  Bridge,  E.  Mason,  Freeman  Nutting,  D.  E.  Chapin, 
H.  P.  Hall,  John  Cadwell,  W.  A.  Braman,  A.  S.  Flagg, 
W.  M.  Hubbard,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Middleton  in  1853.  The 
following  Methodist  ministers  are  from  Coleraine,  viz..  Revs. 
Zaccheus  Davenport,  Joseph  B.  Dennison,  Origin  Dunnell, 
Lorenzo  Hastings,  Ichabod  Marcy,  and  Thomas  Marcy. 

Perfectionists.  One  preacher  of  this  order.  Rev.  Loren 
Hollister,  originated  from  Coleraine. 

Universalists.  Universalist  preacher  from  Coleraine,  Rev. 
Reuben  Farley. 

Summary  of  Preachers  originating  from  Coleraine  :  Con- 
gregationalists,  8  ;  Baptists,  15  ;  Methodists,  6  ;  C-h-r-i-s- 
t-i-a-n-s,  1  ;    Perfectionists,  1  ;    Universalists,  1.     Total,  32. 

CONWAY. 

This  town  was  incorporated,  June  16.  1767,  and  its 
population  in  1850  was  1831.  Three  churches  have  been 
organized  in  Conway,  viz.,  one  Congregational,  one  Baptist, 
and  one  Methodist. 

congregationalists. 

Church.  The  Congregational  church  was  organized, 
July  14j  1768,  with  thirty-two  members.  The  first  Meet- 
ing-house was  built  in  1769,  and  was  occupied  till  the 
second  house  was  built,  which  was  in  1842.  The  second 
and   present  house  of  worship  is  located  a  short  distance 


100  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

north  of  the  site  of  the  first  one.  The  first  pastor  preached 
on  his  first  Sabbath  in  Conway  in  a  barn,  and  the  preceding 
Sabbath  in  Brattle  Street  Church,  Boston  ;  and  the  council 
that  ordained  him  was  called  together  by  a  horn. 

Nineteen  revivals  have  been  enjoyed,  and,  as  the  result, 
about  six  hundred  added  to  the  church,  viz.,  in  1771,  and 
twenty-three  additions  ;  in  1780,  and  fourteen  additions  ;  in 
1788,  and  one  hundred  and  eighteen  additions  ;  in  1806, 
and  ten  additions  ;  in  1808,  and  ten  additions  ;  in  1816,  and 
fifty-four  additions  ;  in  1817,  and  eleven  additions;  in  1822, 
and  forty-one  additions  ;  in  1825,  and  eleven  additions  ;  in 
1828,  and  thirty-eight  additions  ;  in  1829,  and  eleven  ad- 
ditions;  in  1831,  and  sixty-one  additions;  in  1838,  and 
twenty-eight  additions  ;  in  1842,  and  eighteen  additions  ;  in 
1843,  and  sixty-five  additions  ;  in  1846,  and  fifteen  ad- 
ditions ;  in  1848,  and  fifty  additions  ;  in  1850,  and  forty- 
nine  additions  ;  in  1852,  and  thirty-five  additions.  From 
the  organization  of  the  church  to  the  close  of  1852,  one 
thousand  and  thirty-six  persons  were  received  to  this  church. 
Counrils  to  settle  difficulties  were  called.  May  20.  1778 ; 
Dec.  23,  1783  ;  and  Oct.  25,  1809.  This  church  has  given 
invitations  to  ministers  to  settle  as  pastors,  who  declined 
to  settle,  as  follows,  viz.,  Rev.  Mr.  Judson,  Rev.  Hervey 
Wilbur,  July  15,  1816  ;  Rev.  John  Maltby,  March  29, 
1826. 

In  the  eighty-five  years  and  a  half  since  the  organization 
of  this  church,  it  has  had  settled  pastors  about  eighty-one 
years  and  a  half,  and  has  been  destitute  of  the  same  four 
years. 

The  amount  contributed  to  the  cause  of  Benevolence  in 
1853,  was  1 1,192  89.  The  number  in  the  Sabbath  School 
in  1852,  was  300.  The  number  in  the  church  in  1853.  was 
342.     This  church  has  had  six  pastors. 

Pastors.  1.*  Rev.  John  Emerson  was  settled  as  pastor, 
Dec.  21,  1769,  and  died  while  in  the  pastoral  office,  at  Con- 
way,  June   26,    1826,   aged    81.     The   following  obituary, 


OF     CONWAY.  101 

written  by  Rev.  Dr.  Hitchcock,  now  President  of  Amherst 
College,  appeared  in  the  Boston  Recorder  of  Dec.  22,  1826: 

"Mr.  Emerson  was  born  at  Maiden,  in  this  State,  Nov. 
20,  1745,  O.  S.,  and  was  the  son  of  Rev.  Joseph  Emerson, 
minister  in  that  place.  A  circumstance  worthy  of  notice  is 
mentioned  of  his  father,  that  during  a  ministry  of  nearly 
fifty  years  in  that  town,  he  was  detained  from  the  house  of 
God  but  two  Sabbaths.  He  preached  both  parts  of  the  Sab- 
bath on  which  he  died.  A  more  particular  account  is  given 
of  him  in  Alden's  Collections,  and  in  Allen's  Biography. 

"John  Emerson,  the  subject  of  these  remarks,  was  the 
youngest  of  thirteen  children,  three  of  whom  were  ministers 
of  the  gospel.  His  education  was  strictly  religious  ;  and 
would  in  these  days  be  called  puritanical.  His  mother, 
daughter  of  the  distinguished  and  eccentric  Samuel  Moody, 
minister  in  York,  Me.,  was  assiduous  in  her  instructions,  and 
never  suffered  a  day  to  pass,  without  retiring  with  some  one 
of  her  children,  for  secret  prayer.  In  this  parental  faithful- 
ness we  discover  the  foundation  of  the  religious  character 
and  usefulness  of  their  youngest  son.  Indeed  he  seems  to 
have  been  one,  who  was  sanctified  from  the  womb.  He 
could  not  recollect  the  time,  when  religious  exercises  and 
duties  were  not  familiar  to  him ;  and  at  the  age  of  ten,  in 
the  absence  of  his  father  and  elder  brothers,  he  was  in  the 
habit  of  conducting  family  worship.  He  entered  the  Uni- 
versity at  Cambridge,  at  the  age  of  thirteen,  and  graduated 
in  1764.  *  *  *  Mr.  Emerson,  after  due  preparation  for  the 
ministry,  was  invited  to  succeed  his  father  in  his  native 
place.  But  he  did  not  comply  with  the  request,  nor  with 
several  others  of  the  same  kind,  from  parishes  in  the  eastern 
part  of  the  State.  In  1769  he  was  unanimously  chosen  to 
the  pastoral  office  by  the  inhabitants  of  Conway,  a  place 
that  had  been  incorporated  only  two  years  before,  and  con- 
tained only  four  or  five  hundred  souls.  He,  however,  ac- 
cepted the  invitation,  and  half  a  century  afterwards  he  very 
shrewdly  described  the  commencement  of  his  labors  there, 


102  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

by  saying,  'It  was  literally,  John  preaching  in  the  wilder- 
ness.' He  lived,  however,  to  see  that  wilderness  disappear, 
and  more  than  two  thousand  souls  to  be  settled  in  the  place. 
The  church,  which  was  organized  July  14,  1768,  rather 
more  than  a  year  before  his  settlement,  rapidly  gained 
strength  under  his  ministrations,  and  within  fifty  years  he 
had  admitted  five  hundred  and  twelve  to  her  communion. 
In  June  21st,  1821,  it  being  the  fifty-second  year  of  Mr.  Em- 
erson's ministry,  and  he  having  become  incapable  of  sustain- 
ing the  cares  and  duties  of  a  large  parish,  a  colleague  pastor 
was  settled  with  him,  whose  ministry,  however,  in  conse- 
quence of  feeble  health,  continued  only  to  November,  1825, 
a  little  more  than  four  years.  During  that  time  Mr.  Emer- 
son continued  to  preach  and  perform  parochial  duties  occa- 
sionally;  and  sixty-eight  individuals  united  with  the  church, 
making  the  whole  number  from  the  beginning  of  Mr.  Emer- 
son's ministry  to  its  clbse,  five  hundred  and  eighty  persons. 
To  these  add  the  thirty-two,  who  were  originally  organized, 
and  it  gives  six  hundred  and  twelve,  the  whole  number 
who  have  belonged  to  the  church  in  Conway,  up  to  the  time 
of  his  death.  After  the  dismission  of  his  colleague,  he  again 
became  sole  pastor  of  the  church  ;  he  entered  Avith  as  lively 
interest  as  ever  into  the  ministerial  work,  and  exerted  him- 
self to  the  utmost  to  supply  the  deficiency.  When  the  pulpit 
was  not  otherwise  supplied,  he  officiated,  and  seemed  to  feel 
an  increased  anxiety  for  the  church  and  people  whom  he 
loved.  He  even  went  to  the  house  of  God  on  the  day  before 
he  died,  prepared  to  preach,  and  would  have  done  it,  had  not 
another  clergyman  been  providentially  present.  The  next 
day,  June  26,  1826,  in  the  81st  year  of  his  age,  without  any 
warning,  and  probably  unconscious  of  his  danger,  he  was 
gently  released,  almost  in  a  moment,  from  all  earthly  trials. 
Dm-ing  his  ministry,  he  had  followed  one  thousand  and  thir- 
ty-seven of  his  people  to  the  grave,  and  only  one  or  two  of 
those  who  settled  him  were  left  behind. 

"Being  rather  careless  of  his  manuscripts,  it  is  not  possible 


OF     CONWAY.  103 

to  State  the  precise  number  of  his  written  sermons ;  they 
pro])ably  amounted  to  about  thirty-five  hundred.  In  fifty 
years,  he  administered  baptism  to  twelve  hundred  and  nine- 
teen subjects.  His  ministry  was  blest  with  several  revi- 
vals. *  *  * 

"  The  whole  length  of  Mr.  Emerson's  ministry  was  nearly 
fifty-seven  years.  On  the  26th  of  Dec,  1819,  he  preached  a 
half  century  sermon,  which  exhibits  a  valuable  history  of 
the  town  from  its  first  settlement,  by  one  who  had  been  an 
eye  witness.  He  there  states,  that  for  fifty  years,  the  whole 
time  in  which  he  had  been  unable  to  perform  the  duties  of  the 
ministry,  did  not  amount  to  one  year.  Thus  it  appears,  that 
in  this  instance  the  ministry  of  the  son,  added  to  that  of  the 
father,  exceeded  a  hundred  years  ! 

''After  stating  these  facts  in  regard  to  Mr.  Emerson,  it 
seems  hardly  necessary  to  add,  that  he  was  faithful  in  his 
holy  calling, — for  the  preaching  of  unfaithful  pastors  God 
does  not  permanently  bless.  Since  he  Avas  the  first  spiritual 
guide  of  the  church  in  Conway,  and  continued  to  a  recent 
period,  it  will  be  just  to  compare  the  present  religious  state 
of  that  people  with  that  of  a  place  similarly  situated,  which 
for  fifty  years  has  been  destitute  of  religious  instruction,  and 
to  estimate  the  fidelity  and  usefulness  of  his  ministry  by  the 
difference.  That  church  and  society  are  emphatically  his 
epistle,  known  and  read  of  all  men.  He  was  warmly  at- 
tached to  his  people,  and  towards  the  close  of  life  his  de- 
sires rose  almost  constantly  to  God  for  a  blessing  upon  them. 

"  Neither  is  it  necessary,  after  what  has  been  stated,  to  add 
that  Mr.  Emerson  believed  and  preached  the  doctrines  of 
grace.  For  a  genuine  revival  of  religion  has  never  yet  re- 
sulted from  the  exhibition  of  any  other  truths,  or  where 
these  were  withheld.  In  his  half  century  sermon  he  says 
to  his  people,  '  the  peculiar  doctrines  we  have  adopted,  and 
to  which  we  still  adhere,  by  way  of  distinction  are  called 
Calvinistic,  viz. :  entire  human  depravity,  the  necessity  of 
regeneration  by  the  special  operations  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 


104  CHURCHES      AND     MINISTERS 

justification  by  faith,  an  obedient  holy  life  flowing  from 
evangelical  repentance  of  sin,  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
love  to  God,  &c.  These  doctrines,  which  are  emphatically 
doctrines  of  free  grace,  have  been  invariably  held  and  pub- 
licly preached  to  my  people.'  Not  long  before  his  death, 
when  he  supposed  himself  on  the  very  borders  of  the  grave, 
and  was  giving  directions  for  his  funeral,  he  expressed  to 
the  writer  of  this  notice  his  unwavering  belief  in  these  same 
truths ;  and  declared  in  particular,  that  he  could  form  no 
idea  of  that  religion,  which  excluded  the  doctrine  of  atone- 
ment. He  seemed  desirous  of  leaving  his  dying  testimony 
in  favor  of  those  grand  peculiarities  of  the  gospel. 

"  It  is  not  intended  in  this  sketch  to  attempt  a  minute  delin- 
eation of  the  character  of  Mr.  Emerson.  To  those  acquainted 
with  him,  this  would  be  useless ;  and  to  others,  the  works 
that  follow  him  exhibit  his  character  better  than  eulogy 
could  do  it.  A  prominent  trait  must  not,  however,  be  omit- 
ted. He  was  eminent  as  a  man  of  iprayer.  '■  He  spent 
more  time,'  says  his  son,  the  present  minister  of  Manches- 
ter, '  in  the  devotional  exercises  of  the  closet  and  family, 
than  I  ever  witnessed  in  any  other  man ;  most  of  the  time 
from  the  close  of  the  Sabbath  exercises,  until  dark,  was 
spent  in  this  way.'  And  it  may  be  added,  that  probably 
during  the  last  years  of  his  life,  the  greater  part  of  his  time 
was  spent  in  communion  Avith  God.  For  twelve  years  pre- 
vious to  his  death,  he  was  greatly  troubled  in  conversation 
with  an  impediment  in  his  speech,  in  consequence  of  a  par- 
alytic affection.  But  it  is  a  curious  fact,  that  whenever  he 
led  in  devotional  exercises,  this  impediment  almost  entirely 
disappeared.  What  could  be  the  reason,  but  that  he  had  be- 
come more  habituated  to  pray  than  to  converse  ?  In  this 
praying  spirit  we  discover  the  secret  of  his  faithfulness  and 
success  in  the  ministry. 

"It  ought  also  to  be  mentioned,  that  Mr.  Emerson's  char- 
acter was  long  and  severely  tried  in  the  school  of  afiiiction. 
Suffice  it  to  state,  that  for  twenty  years  a  son,  whose  early 


OF     CONWAY.  105 

days  were  bright  and  promising,  was  a  chained  maniac  be- 
fore his  parent's  eyes.  One  and  another  partner  he  was 
called  to  yield  to  the  grasp  of  death,  and  more  than  half  of 
a  numerous  family." 

His  funeral  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Edward  Hitch- 
cock, his  successor,  from  which  the  following  is  an  extract, 
viz. :  "  Early  was  the  grace  of  God  implanted  in  his  heart ; 
and  through  a  long  summer  was  holiness  growing  and  ex- 
panding under  Divine  cultivation,  watered  by  the  showers 
of  Divine  grace,  and  gathering  strength  amid  the  tempests 
of  affliction,  that  raged  long  and  fiercely  around  him.  For 
many  a  year,  has  the  heavy  fruit  seemed  ripe  for  the  harvest ; 
and  at  last  has  he  come  to  his  grave  in  a  full  age,  like  as  a 
shock  of  corn  in  his  season." 

Rev.  Moses  Miller  says  of  him  :  ''I  considered  Mr,  Emer- 
son as  a  model  preacher  in  the  age  in  which  he  lived,  in  his 
delivery  and  style  of  composition.  His  enunciation  was  ex- 
cellent. His  manner  of  preaching  was  solemn,  dignified, 
affectionate,  and  respectful,  as  becometh  an  ambassador  of 
Heaven." 

Mr.  Emerson  studied  theology  with  his  father  ;  one  of  his 
brothers,  Joseph,  was  a  minister  in  Pepperell ;  and  another 
brother,  William,  was  a  minister  in  Concord  ;  he  had  one 
son,  Samuel  M.,  who  was  a  pastor  in  Heath,  of  whom  some 
account  is  given  in  the  history  of  Heath  pastors ;  and  Rev. 
John  B.  Emerson,  late  pastor  in  Newbury  port,  was  his 
grandson.  He  published  several  occasional  sermons.  His 
ordination  sermon  at  Conway  was  preached  by  Rev.  Joseph 
Ashley  of  Sunderland.  His  first  wife  died  May  25,  1806  ; 
and  his  second  wife,  Dec.  8,  1821.  On  his  gravestone  are 
inscribed  the  folloAving  texts,  viz.  :  "  If  a  man  die,  shall  he 
live  again  ?  " — Job.  "  I  am  the  Resurrection  and  the  Life  ; 
he  that  believeth  in  me,  though  he  were  dead,  yet  shall  he 
live." — Jesus  Christ. 

2.  Rev.  Edward  Hitchcock,  D.  D.,  LL.D,  was  ordained 
pastor  in  Conway,  June  21,  1821,  and  Rev.  Chester  Dewey 
14 


106  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

preached  on  the  occasion  ;  and  was  dismissed  from  Conway 
Oct.  25,  1825.  He  was  born  in  Deerfield,  May  24,  1793 ; 
did  not  pass  through  a  regular  collegiate  course  ;  pursued 
classical  and  theological  studies  at  New  Haven  ;  received 
the  honorary  degree  of  A.  M.,  from  Yale,  in  1818 ;  LL.D. 
from  Harvard  in  1840 ;  and  S.  T.  D,  from  Middlebury  in 
1846.  After  his  dismission  from  Conway,  he  was  a  Pro- 
fessor of  Chemistry  and  Natural  History  in  Amherst  College, 
from  1825  to  1845 ;  and  has  been  the  President  of  that  Col- 
lege since  1845.  He  has  published  large  and  elaborate 
works  on  geology,  and  various  smaller  works  on  other  sub- 
jects.    His  ministry  in  Conway  was  about  four  years. 

3.*  Rev.  Daniel  Crosby  was  ordained  pastor  in  Conway, 
Jan.  31,  1827,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Justin  Edwards  preached  the 
sermon  ;  and  he  was  dismissed  from  Conway,  July  24,  1833. 
He  was  born  in  Hampden,  Me.,  Oct.  8,  1799 ;  graduated  at 
Yale  in  1823  ;  finished  the  theological  course  at  Andover  in 
1826  ;  after  leaving  Conway  was  installed  pastor  of  the 
Winthrop  Church  in  Charlestown,  Aug.  14,  1833,  and  was 
dismissed  from  there  in  May,  1842,  and  then  entered  upon 
editorial  duties  at  the  Mission  House  in  Boston  in  behalf  of 
the  American  Board,  while  he  resided  in  Charlestown,  where 
he  died,  Feb.  28,  1843,  aged  43. 

The  following  extracts  are  from  the  funeral  sermon 
preached  by  Rev.  David  Greene,  viz.  :  "  As  a  public  re- 
ligious teacher,  Mr.  Crosby  was  lucid,  scriptural  and  rational. 
There  was  a  vein  of  common  sense  and  practicalness,  an 
honestness  of  intention,  a  directness  of  aim  at  the  intended 
object,  and  an  earnestness  in  his  endeavors  to  accomplish 
it,  which  were  highly  characteristic  ;  and  his  sermons,  while 
they  did  not  bear  the  marks  of  great  genius,  or  learning,  or 
profound  research,  yet  showed,  every  one  of  them,  that  they 
had  been  laboriously  thought  out  and  constructed  by  him- 
self. *  =*  *  As  a  pastor,  Mr.  Crosby  was  remarkably  method- 
ical and  efficient.  As  to  his  official  visits  to  his  people,  as  a 
shepherd  set  to  watch  over  the  flock,  few  if  any  of  them  are 


OF     CONWAY.  107 

disposed  to  charge  him  with  partiality  or  neglect,  or  with 
want  of  fidelity  and  appropriateness.  His  work  was  planned 
out  and  kept  before  him.  He  took  pains  to  know  the  re- 
ligious state  of  every  family,  and  almost,  may  it  be  said,  as 
far  as  the  human  mind  can  know,  the  religious  state  of  every 
soul.  His  visits  were  always  acceptable  ;  and  families,  even 
the  children  in  them,  love  to  expatiate  on  what  they  enjoyed 
on  such  occasions.  *  *  * 

"  At  Conway,  where  he  spent  nearly  six  years  of  his 
ministry,  and  where  he  was  called  to  his  work  with  great 
unanimity,  there  was  a  growing  interest  in  his  preaching  and 
pastoral  labors,  and  a  steady  advance  in  the  religious  and 
missionary  feeling  of  the  people  till  his  removal.  The  im- 
pressions made,  especially  on  the  young,  by  his  sermons,  his 
concert  lectures,  and  his  family  visits,  are  still  fresh  in  their 
most  affectionate  and  respectful  recollections,  and  can  never 
be  forgotten.   *  *  * 

"  During  his  residence  in  Conway,  two  seasons  of  religious 
revival  were  enjoyed,  and  one  hundred  and  thirty-two  persons 
were  added  to  the  church  on  profession.  *  *  * 

"  When  attacked  with  his  last  illness  in  December,  he 
was  confident  from  the  first  that  he  should  not  recover.  In 
the  taking  down  of  this  house  of  clay,  he  anticipated  a  long 
and  painful  sickness,  and  a  distressing  death,  and  expressed 
some  fear  that  he  might  be  left  to  impatience  and  complaint. 
*  *  *  One  day  he  said  to  a  friend  who  visited  him,  '  I  have 
been  examining  myself  to  learn  if  I  have  any  will  of  my 
own  respecting  the  result  of  this  sickness,  and  I  find  that  if 
it  were  left  with  me,  I  should,  of  choice,  with  the  highest 
pleasure,  refer  it  back  to  God,  to  do  just  as  he  sees  best.  I 
have  examined  the  point  repeatedly,  and  I  am  sure  I  am  not 
mistaken.'  When  his  physician  informed  him  that  he  prob- 
ably could  not  recover,  he  said  to  a  friend  the  next  day, 
'  I  feel  much  better  than  yesterday  ;  then  I  was  in  suspense 
as  to  what  the  Lord  would  do  with  me  ;  now  I  understand 
that  I  am  soon  to  die,  and  I  am  relieved  from  all  uncer- 


108  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

tainty.'  On  another  occasion  he  said,  . '  There  is  nothing  in 
me,  and  I  have  done  nothing  which  I  can  offer  as  a  ground 
of  acceptance  with  God.  All  my  hope  is  in  Christ.'  *  *  * 
'  Here  I  am,'  said  he,  '  with  no  pain,  no  anxiety,  all  my 
wants  met,  just  waiting  God's  time  to  die.'  *  *  *  <  In  look- 
ing forward  to  heaven,'  said  he,  '  I  can  conceive  of  nothing 
better  than  serving  God  perfectly  and  forever.'  " 

Mr.  Crosby  published  a  small  work  on  the  "  Character  of 
Christ,"  and  several  sermons.  His  remains  were  interred  in 
the  Mount  Auburn  cemetery,  in  Jessamine  Path,  and  the 
following  is  a  part  of  the  epitaph  on  his  gravestone,  viz.  : 
"  The  Winthrop  Church  have  erected  this  monument  in 
grateful  remembrance  of  their  beloved  pastor,  who  during 
eight  years  labored  among  them  with  eminent  fidelity  and 
success."     "  For  me  to  live  is  Christ,  and  to  die  is  gain." 

4.  Rev.  Melancthon  G.  Wheeler  was  installed  pastor 
in  Conway,  June  19,  1834,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Storrs  of  Braintree 
preached  on  the  occasion  ;  and  he  was  dismissed,  Aug.  18, 
1841.  Mr.  Wheeler  was  born  in  Charlotte,  Vt.,  in  1802; 
graduated  at  Union  in  1825  ;  studied  theology  at  Princeton, 
N.  J.,  and  Andover  ;  was  ordained  as  an  Evangelist  at  New- 
buryport,  Aug.  12,  1829  ;  supplied  about  a  year  at  Falmouth  ; 
installed  at  Abington,  Oct.  13,  1831,  and  the  sermon  was 
preached  by  Rev.  Daniel  Huntington  ;  dismissed  from 
Abington,  Aug.  28,  1833  ;  after  his  dismission  from  Conway 
lived  in  South  Hadley  and  performed  some  agency  for  the 
Seminary  ;  installed  in  Williamsburg,  October,  1843,  and 
Rev.  Mr.  Condit,  then  of  South  Hadley,  preached  the  ser- 
mon ;  dismissed  from  Williamsburg,  March,  1845  ;  resided  a 
year  in  Northampton,  and  supplied  the  Edwards  Church  four 
months  ;  in  1847,  travelled  as  an  agent  for  the  New  York 
Observer  ;  in  1848,  commenced  an  agency  for  the  American 
Colonization  Society,  in  which  he  is  still  engaged ;  from 
1848  to  1852  resided  in  Auburn,  and  since  then  has  lived  in 
Auburndale,  West  Newton.  His  ministry  in  Conway  was 
about  seven  years. 


OF     CONWAY.  100 

5.  Rev.  Samuel  Harris  was  settled  as  pastor  in  Conway, 
Dec.  22,  1841,  and  the  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Daniel 
Crosby  ;  and  he  was  dismissed  from  Conway,  Feb.  11,  18.51. 
Mr.  Harris  v/as  born  in  East  Machias,  Me.,  Xinie  14,  1814; 
graduated  at  Bowdoin  in  1833  ;  finished  the  theological 
course  at  Andover  in  1838  ;  installed  as  pastor  of  the  South 
Church  in  Pittsfield,  after  being  dismissed  from  Conway  in 
1851,  where  he  still  remains.  He  is  the  author  of  several 
treatises  that  have  received  premiums.  His  ministry  in  Con- 
way was  about  nine  years. 

6.  Rev.  George  M.  Adams  was  ordained  pastor  in  Conway, 
Sept.  18,  1851,  and  Rev.  Dr.  William  T.  D wight  preached 
on  the  occasion.  Mr.  Adams  was  born  in  Castine,  Me., 
July  7,  1824  ;  graduated  at  Bowdoin  in  1844  ;  finished  the 
theological  course  at  Andover  in  1850,  and  spent  some  time 
in  Germany  in  theological  studies.  He  is  still  a  pastor  in 
Conway,  in  the  third  year  of  his  pastorate  there. 

Of  the  six  pastors  of  this  church,  four  were  dismissed  ; 
four  are  still  living ;  one  was  a  pastor  of  the  church  fifty-six 
years  and  a  half ;  and  •  the  average  length  of  their  pastorates 
in  Conway  is  about  fourteen  years. 

CONGREGATIONAL    MINISTERS    ORIGINATING    FROM    CONWAY. 

1.*  Rev.  Joel  Baker  was  born  in  Conway,  March  7,  1768, 
and  died  in  West  Granville,  Sept.  1,  1833,  aged  65.  The 
following  is  an  extract  from  the  unpublished  sermon  preached 
at  his  funeral  by  Rev.  Dr.  Timothy  M.  Cooley  of  East 
Granville  : 

"  His  parents  were  respectable  and  religious,  his  father 
being  deacon  in  the  church,  and  his  mother  a  member  emi- 
nent for  christian  graces.  Little  is  known  of  his  childhood 
and  early  youth,  except  that  he  was  visited  with  epileptic 
affections,  from  which  he  was  entirely  recovered,  through 
the  divine  blessing  on  the  care  and  kindness  of  his  excellent 
mother.  He  was  early  devoted  to  literary  pursuits,  with 
reference,  I  believe,  to  the  ministry  ;  and,  in  1792,  was  grad- 


110  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

uated  at  Dartmouth  College.  His  theological  studies  were 
under  the  instructions  of  Rev.  Joseph  Lyman,  D.  D.,  of  Hat- 
field ;  and  he  received  license  from  the  Hampshire  Associa- 
tion. June  21,  1797,  he  was  ordained  to  the  pastoral  office 
in  this  place,  (West  Granville) ;  and  to  you,  beloved  hear- 
ers, it  is  known  with  what  painful  diligence,  with  what 
zeal  for  the  glory  of  God,  and  unquenchable  desires  for  the 
salvation  of  souls,  he  has  executed  his  ministry.  His  record 
is  on  high. 

"  His  ministry  commenced  at  a  most  eventful  period  of 
the  world.  It  was  the  era  of  Missions.  England  was  send- 
ing forth  the  heralds  of  the  gospel  to  the  islands  of  the  sea. 
The  cause  of  Home  Missions  was  awakening  in  the  hearts 
of  the  wise  and  the  good  a  deep  and  active  interest.  He 
was  for  one  term  one  of  our  earliest  missionaries  to  the 
West.  It  ivas  also  the  era  of  revivals.  It  was  his  privilege 
to  witness  three  distinct  seasons  of  revival  ;  and  during  his 
ministry  more  than  two  hundred  were  added  to  the  church 
by  profession.  He  was  an  affectionate  pastor.  His  ser- 
mons, if  they  failed  in  logical  accuracy,  were  plain,  practi- 
cal, and  evangelical  ;  his  prayers  were  spiritual ;  and  his 
pastoral  visits,  in  which  he  was  abundant,  were  in  a  special 
manner  pleasing  and  profitable.  As  a  christian,  though  he 
was  wont  to  speak  of  himself  with  diffidence  and  fears,  he 
manifestly  reached  high  attainments.  Whether  he  could 
refer  to  the  precise  time  of  his  conversion,  or  whether,  like 
Baxter,  he  could  fix  upon  neither  the  day,  the  month,  nor 
the  year,  is  a  point  of  minor  importance.  Probably  the  dawn 
of  his  religious  hopes  was  in  that  early  period  when  he  ex- 
perienced long  and  distressing  sickness.  '  He  was  chosen  in 
the  furnace  of  affliction.'  He  walked  with  God  in  days  of 
prosperity,  for  years  of  quietude  not  a  few  fell  to  his  lot. 
He  was  also  prepared  for  changes  and  trials.  We  remember 
with  what  exemplary  submission  he  closed  the  eyes  of  two 
of  his  sons  in  the  midst  of  their  brightening  prospects,  and 
resigned  them  to  the  grave. 


OF     CONWAY.  Ill 

"  But  it  was  in  '  the  chamber  where  the  good  man  meets 
his  fate,'  that  our 'lamented  brother  appeared  with  most  at- 
tractive loveliness.  However  his  rising,  or  meridian,  or  de- 
clining sun  may  have  been  overspread  with  clouds,  '  his 
setting  sun  shone  bright.'  He  experienced  months  of  wast- 
ing disease.  He  could  review  the  past  and  look  forward  to 
the  future.  In  his  best  days  he  feared  that  he  should  be 
deserted  in  the  final  struggle.  But  no  !  His  covenant  God 
Avas  with  him.  Often,  very  often,  he  spoke  of  God's  good- 
ness. He  spoke  of  peace  and  joy.  With  sweetest  compo- 
sure he  imparted  to  his  children  his  dying  counsel  and 
patriarchal  blessing.  His  last  hour  was  an  hour  of  triumph. 
Awaking  from  a  deep  lethargy,  he  was  sensible  that  the  time 
of  his  departure  had  arrived.  He  could  speak  but  few  words. 
He  was  heard  to  say,  '  Death  !  death  !'  Being  asked,  '  Are 
you  ready  and  willing  to  die  ?'  '  Yes,  yes,'  was  his  prompt 
reply.  With  a  hope  full  of  immortality,  with  beneficence 
beaming  in  his  dying  eyes,  he  looked  a  long,  last  farewell, 
and,  without  any  apparent  suffering,  he  'fell  asleep  in  Jesus.' 
It  had  been  his  expressed  desire  that  he  might  depart  on  the 
Sabbath.  Even  this  request  was  granted.  Last  Sabbath, 
at  midday,  his  spirit  took  its  flight.  '  Precious  in  the  sight 
of  the  Lord  is  the  death  of  his  saints.'  " 

Mr.  Baker,  previous  to  his  settlement  in  West  Granville, 
preached  in  Gill  and  Chesterfield,  and  received  a  call  to 
settle  in  the  latter  place.  Rev.  John  Emerson  preached  his 
ordination  sermon.  The  two  sons,  referred  to  in  the  fore- 
going extract,  were  Curtis  Baker,  a  student  at  Andover,  and 
Phinehas  Baker,  a  medical  student.  The  epitaph  on  Mr. 
Baker's  gravestone  is  the  following,  viz.  :  "  For  thirty-six 
years  the  faithful  and  revered  pastor  of  the  church  in  this 
place.  Died  in  peace  and  triumph,  September  1,  1833." 
"  O  grave,  where  is  thy  victory !"  "  Erected  by  the 
church." 

2.*  Mr.  Elisha  Billings  was  born  in  Sunderland,  Oct.  1, 
1749  ;  graduated  at  Yale  in  1772  ;  was  licensed  by  Hamp- 


112  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

shire  Association,  1774,  and  preached  a  few  times,  but  •'  was 
compehed,  after  a  year  or  two,  to  desist  from  preaching  and 
engage  in  other  pursuits,  on  account  of  bodily  weakness." 
He  died  in  Conway,  Aug.  7,  1825,  aged  76.  He  preached 
about  six  months  in  Westchester,  N.  Y.,  during  the  Revoki- 
tionary  war,  and  received  several  calls  to  settle  as  a  pastor, 
but  never  received  ordination.  He  was  a  deacon  in  the 
church  in  Conway  from  1812,  and  held  several  important 
public  offices  in  the  county.  A  lengthy  and  interesting  ex- 
tract from  his  funeral  sermon  was  published  in  the  Recorder 
and  Telegraph,  Nov.  25,  1825.  He  removed  from  Sunder- 
land to  Conway  about  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  war. 
One  of  his  daughters  married  Rev.  Ezekiel  Russell,  and  one 
married  Rev.  Robert  O.  Dwight,  a  foreign  missionary. 

3.  Mr.  Richard  S.  Billings  was  born  in  Conway,  Sept. 
29,  1819  ;  in  1837  removed  to  Trenton,  N.  Y.  ;  graduated 
at  Amherst  in  1847  ;  finished  the  theological  course  at  An- 
dover  in  1850  ;  has  been  a  resident  licentiate  at  Andover 
and  New  Haven,  and  has  supplied  in  several  places,  but  was 
never  ordained. 

4.*  Mr.  Abel  B.  Clary  was  born  in  Conway,  June  17, 
1795  ;  removed  in  1801  to  Hartford,  Washington  County, 
N.  Y.  ;  and  in  1804,  to  Adams,  Jefferson  County,  N.  Y. 
He  was  bred  a  merchant,  and  lived  ten  years  in  Sackett's 
Harbor,  N.Y.  Being  converted  after  his  marriage,  he  turned 
his  attention  to  the  ministry,  but  did  not  pursue  a  regular 
course  of  study.  He  never  graduated  at  any  college,  and 
was  never  ordained.  He  was  licensed  by  the  Black  River 
Association,  N.  Y.  ;  and  preached  about  four  years  in  vari- 
ous places  in  New  York  state.  While  on  his  way  to  preach 
as  an  itinerant  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  Ya.,  he  died  of 
typhus  fever  at  Wilkesbarre,  Penn.,  Jan.  1,  1833,  aged  38. 
Rev.  Dr.  Nicholas  Murray  preached  his  funeral  sermon.  A 
ministerial  correspondent,  intimately  acquainted  with  him, 
says  :  "  He  was  a  man  of  uncommon  depth  of  christian  ex- 
perience, very  eminent   in  prayer,  and   in  that  faith  which 


OF     CONWAY.  113 

expects  great  things.  His  soul  was  very  familiar  with  what 
is  called,  and  very  properly,  travail  for  the  regeneration  of 
sinners.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of 
Sackett's  Harbor,  and  one  of  its  elders  ;  and  both  as  a  private 
member  and  a  preacher,  he  was  '  faithful  under  death.'  " 
He  was  a  brother  of  Rev.  Dexter  Clary,  a  notice  of  whom 
immediately  follows. 

5.  Rev.  Dexter  Clary  was  born  in  Conway,  Feb.  1,  1798  ; 
in  1801  removed  to  Hartford,  N.  Y. ;  and  in  1804  to  Adams, 
N.  Y.  He  never  graduated  at  any  college  ;  pursued  a  course 
of  study  at  Watertown,  N.  Y.,  and  studied  theology  under 
the  direction  of  the  Watertown  Presbytery,  and  attended 
theological  lectures  at  New  Haven ;  was  licensed  in  1828  ; 
ordained  as  an  Evangelist,  Jan.  12,  1829,  at  Watertown, 
N.  Y.,  and  Rev.  Jedediah  Burchard  preached  on  the  occa- 
sion ;  preached  till  1835  in  Northern  and  Western  New 
York  ;  in-  1835  and  1836  preached  in  Montreal,  Canada  ; 
then  supplied  in  Rome  and  Brown ville,  N.  Y.,  several  years  ; 
in  1840  began  to  preach  in  Beloit,  Wisconsin,  and  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1844,  was  installed  pastor  in  the  first  Congregational 
church  there,  and  Rev.  Stephen  Peet  preached  on  the  occa- 
sion. Mr.  Clary  was  dismissed  from  his  pastoral  charge  in 
Beloit,  in  September,  1850,  and  has  since  then  been  an 
agent  of  the  American  Home  Missionary  Society,  and  resides 
in  Beloit.  During  his  ten  years'  pastorate  in  that  place  about 
three  hundred  were  added  to  his  church. 

6.*  Rev.  Stalhatn  Clary  was  born  in  Conway,  April  10, 
1782  ;  never  graduated  at  any  college  ;  studied  theology  with 
Rev.  Dr.  Packard  of  Shelburne,  and  with  Rev.  Moses  Miller 
of  Heath  ;  was  licensed  by  Franklin  Association  in  1823  ; 
was  ordained  as  an  Evangelist  by  the  same  body  at  Shel- 
burne, Nov.  4,  1823,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Edward  Hitchcock 
preached  on  the  occasion.  Mr.  Clary  removed  to  Conhoc- 
ton,  N.  Y.,  in  November,  1823,  where  he  remained,  preach- 
ing there  and  in  various  places  till  1827  ;  and  then  removed 
;..  Prattsburg,  N.  Y.,  and  was  a  Home  Missionary  in  Steuben 
15 


114  CHURCHES      AND     MINISTERS 

County  one  year  ;  preached  in  Pultney,  N.  Y.,  from  182S  to 
1830  ;  and  in  Benton  one  year,  and  died  in  Hopewell,  N.Y., 
while  attending  a  protracted  meeting  there,  Nov.  25,  1831, 
aged  49.  Mr.  Clary  Avas  eminently  devoted  to  the  service 
of  his  divine  Master  ;  was  peculiarly  solemn  and  heart- 
searching  in  his  preaching ;  was  active  and  useful  in  numer- 
ous revivals  ;  and  the  blessing  of  God  most  signally  attended 
his  labors.  A  great  amount  of  labor  devolved  upon  him 
while  attending  the  series  of  meetings  at  Hopewell,  N.  Y., 
on  account  of  the  illness  of  most  of  the  other  ministers. 
On  the  Sabbath  previous  to  his  death  he  preached  three 
times,  and  sat  up  a  great  part  of  that  Sabbath  night,  laboring 
with  a  learned  infidel  physician,  on  the  subject  of  personal 
religion,  who  renounced  his  infidelity  and  hopefully  yielded 
jiis  heart  to  God  before  morning.  It  was  remarked  by  Mr. 
Clary  that  this  was  the  most  interesting  scene  he  ever 
witnessed.  He  was  taken  sick  on  Monday  with  pleurisy, 
and  died  on  Wednesday  night.  His  last  breath  was  spent 
in  prayer.     He  left  a  widow  and  several  children. 

7.  Rev.  David  Dickinson  was  born  in  Conway,  July  24, 
1770 ;  studied  medicine,  and  practised  several  years  in  Ash- 
field  ;  afterwards  studied  theology  with  Rev.  Mr.  Crosby  of 
Greenwich,  and  with  Rev.  Mr.  Holt  of  Hardwick ;  was  or- 
dained as  pastor  in  Plainfield,  N.  H.,  July,  1803,  and  Rev.  Mr. 
Holt  preached  the  sermon;  dismissed  from  there,  in  1817; 
installed  in  Columbia,  Ct.,  January,  1819,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Bas- 
sett  of  Hebron,  Ct.,  preached  the  sermon;  dismissed  from 
Columbia,  June,  1837 ;  preached  several  years  in  Mexico, 
and  Lowville,  N.  Y.  ;  and  about  1840,  removed  to  New 
Bremen,  Lewis  County,  N.  Y.,  where  he  still  resides.  Re- 
vivals have  attended  his  labors.  For  some  years  past,  the 
infirmities  of  age  have  compelled  him  to  relinquish  preach- 
ing to  a  great  extent.  Mr.  Dickinson  never  graduated  at 
;any  college. 

8.  Rev.  Harrison  G.  O.  Dioight  was  born  in  Conway, 
Nov.  22,  1803  ;  in  1804  removed  to  Utica,  N.  Y.  ;  graduated 


OF     CONWAY.  115 

at  Hamilton  in  1825 ;  finished  his  theological  course  at  An- 
dover  in  1828  ;  was  ordained  a  Foreign  Missionary  at  Great 
Barrington,  July  15,  1829,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Beman  preached 
the  sermon.  Mr.  Dwight  preached  for  a  time  at  South  Ab- 
ington,  and  performed  an  itinerary  agency  for  the  American 
Board,  previous  to  his  embarkation.  He  embarked  for  Mal- 
ta, Jan.  21,  1830,  and  arrived  there  in  February;  and  soon 
made  an  exploring  tour  in  Armenia,  with  Rev.  Dr.  Eli 
Smith  ;  and  removed  to  Constantinople,  June  5,  1832,  where 
he  has  since  labored.  He  visited  this  country  in  1838  and 
in  1849.  Among  the  several  works  he  has  published,  are 
the  following,  viz. : — "  Smith's  and  Dwight's  Researches  in 
Armenia;"  the  "Memoirs  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth  B.  Dwight.'" 
his  wife;  and  "Christianity  Revived  in  the  East."  As  an 
illustration  of  the  perils  and  hardships  of  some  missionaries, 
I  am  permitted  to  record  the  following  account.  Mr.  Dwight 
has  twice  been  in  imminent  danger  of  shipwreck,  often  in 
the  midst  of  robbers,  breathed  a  cholera  atmosphere  where 
tens  of  thousands  were  falling  around  him,  and  stood  for 
several  successive  years  in  the  midst  of  the  loathsome  and 
deadly  plague.  For  seven  years  after  his  arrival  at  Constan- 
tinople, the  plague  almost  constantly  raged  around  him  ;  and 
its  victims  at  some  times  were  in  every  house  in  his  imme- 
diate neighborhood.  In  1837  it  entered  his  family.  His 
wife,  and  little  son  of  two  and  a  half  years,  were  attacked 
the  same  da^^.  His  family  physician  came,  and  finding  the 
disease  was  the  plague,  deserted  them.  With  no  physician, 
and  no  help  except  some  aid  from  a  German  woman,  he  took 
the  whole  care  of  his  wife  and  son.  His  son  died  in  two 
days,  and  his  wife  on  the  twelfth  day.  He  had  seen  whole 
families  swept  away,  and  expected  his  own  would  be.  But 
God  spared  him,  and  during  those  days  of  sorrow,  and  the 
thirty  following  solitary  days  of  quarantine,  poured  abun- 
dant consolation  and  joy  into  his  soul,  so  that  he  hardly 
knew  whether  he  was  in  the  body  or  out  of  the  body.  He 
was  afterwards  constrained  to  believe  that  God  was  prepar- 


116  CHURCHKS     AND     MINISTERS 

ing  him  by  that  discipline  for  the  trying  labors  of  several 
subsequent  years  of  missionary  life,  when  the  enemies  of 
the  cross  were  multiplied,  and  persecution  raged.  Mr. 
Dwight  buried  a  son  of  fifteen  years,  in  1853,  of  whom  an 
interesting  account  is  given  in  the  "Journal  of  Missions"  for 
July,  1853,  Mr,  Dwight  still  lives  in  Constantinople,  em- 
ployed in  the  missionary  service. 

9.*  Rev.  Samuel  M.  Emerson  was  a  native  of  Conway, 
and  died  while  a  pastor  in  Heath  ;  and  an  account  of  him  is 
given  in  the  history  of  the  Heath  pastors. 

10.  Rev.  Samuel  Fisher,  D.  D.,  was  born  in  Sunderland, 
June  30,  1777,  His  father,  who  resided  in  Westhampton, 
died  just  previous  to  his  birth,  in  the  Revolutionary  Army 
in  Morristown,  N.  J.  Mrs.  Fisher,  his  mother,  at  his  birth 
Avas  making  a  temporary  stay  with  her  brother-in-law,  Dr, 
Samuel  Ware,  then  living  in  Sunderland,  On  the  day  of 
his  birth,  he  was  given  to  Dr,  Ware.  For  a  few  years  he 
lived  with  his  mother  in  Dedham,  and  in  1782  he  went  to 
Conway,  to  live  with  Dr,  Ware,  his  uncle,  where  he  re- 
mained till  he  joined  college.  He  graduated  at  Williams  in 
1799 ;  then  was  a  preceptor  in  Deerfield  Academy ;  then  a 
tutor  in  Williams  College,  from  1801  to  1803  ;  then  studied 
divinity  with  Dr,  Hyde  of  Lee ;  was  licensed  Oct,  3,  1804, 
by  the  Berkshire  Association ;  was  ordained  as  pastor  in 
Wilton,  Ct,,  Oct,  31,  1804,  and  dismissed  from  there,  July  5, 
1809;  installed  at  Morristown,  N,  J,,  Aug.  29,  1809,  and 
dismissed  from  there,  April  27,  1814;  soon  after  installed  in 
Patterson,  N.  J.,  and  dismissed  from  there  in  1834;  then 
took  charge  of  a  church  in  Ramapo  Works,  N,  Y,,  until 
1840 ;  then,  being  unable  to  preach,  lived  in  West  Bloom- 
field,  N,  Y.,  till  1843 ;  then  lived  in  Albany,  N,  Y.  ;  and 
from  1844  to  1850,  supplied  a  church  in  Greenbush,  N.  Y.  ; 
and  since  1850  has  lived  in  Orange,  N,  J.  He  received  his 
doctorate  from  Nassau  Hall  in  1827.  He  buried  his  wife  in 
1850,  He  has  had  six  children  ;  all  have  become  hopefully 
pious;  five  of  them  are  living;  and  one  is  the  Rev,  Samuel 


OF     CONWAY.  117 

W.  Fisher,  D.  D.,  of  the  second  Presbyterian  church  in  Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio.  Dr.  Fisher  is  brother  of  Rev.  William  Fisher, 
an  account  of  whom  here  follows. 

11.*  Rev.  William  Fisher .,  though  not  a  native  of  Con- 
way, yet  as  he  spent  the  chief  part  of  his  early  life  there,  is 
reckoned  as  one  of  the  sons  of  Conway.  The  following  obit- 
uary notice  of  him  was  published  soon  after  his  death  : — 

''  Died  at  Allensville,  Switzerland  County,  Indiana,  of  con- 
sumption, on  the  19th  of  April,  1840,  Rev.  William  Fisher, 
in  the  65th  year  of  his  age,  and  the  33d  of  his  ministry. 
Mr.  Fisher  was  born  at  Westhampton,  Mass.,  Nov.  20,  1775. 
His  father,  Lieut.  Jonathan  Fisher,  at  the  call  of  his  country, 
left  his  family  and  joined  the  army  of  Washington,  marched 
into  New  Jersey,  and  died  at  Morristown  in  the  spring  of 
1777,  when  William,  the  subject  of  this  notice,  was  but  little 
more  than  a  year  and  a  half  old.  He  left  a  widow  and  seven 
children,  four  sons  and  three  daughters,  the  oldest  being  but 
about  nine  years  old.  Mrs.  Fisher,  soon  after  the  death  of 
her  husband,  being  in  straitened  circumstances,  removed 
with  her  family  of  little  children  to  Dedham,  her  native 
place,  and  lived  with  her  father.  William  lived  with  his 
mother  at  Dedham,  until  he  was  eight  or  nine  years  old, 
when  he  went  to  reside  with  his  maternal  uncle,  Dea.  John 
Avery  of  Conway,  Mass.  He  continued  with  his  uncle  at 
work,  until  after  he  was  twenty-one  years  old.  While  he 
resided  at  Conway,  and  during  an  interesting  revival  of  re- 
ligion in  that  place,  he  became  hopefully  pious,  and  joined 
the  church,  then  under  the  pastoral  care  of  the  late  Rev. 
John  Emerson.  As  near  as  the  writer  of  this  notice  can  rec- 
ollect, he  was  then  under  sixteen  years  of  age.  After  his 
majority,  he  was  for  several  years  employed  as  a  common 
laborer  in  different  parts  of  the  country.  About  the  year 
1798  he  went  to  Williamstown,  Mass.,  and  was  employed  as 
a  laborer  in  the  erection  of  the  new  college  building,  which 
he  afterwards  inhabited  as  a  student.  For  several  years  he 
had  manifested  an  ardent  desire  to  obtain  an  education,  that 


lis 


CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 


he  might  be  qualified  to  preacli  the  gospel ;  but  had  hitherto 
been  prevented  by  the  want  of  means.  But  soon  after  he 
left  Williamstown,  he  made  up  his  mind  to  obtain  an  educa- 
tion. Accordingly,  in  the  spring  of  1800,  he  went  to  the 
academy  in  Deerfield,  Mass.,  of  which  his  younger  brother 
was  then  preceptor,  and  commenced  his  studies.  Here  he 
pursued  his  classical  studies  with  untiring  diligence,  until 
the  fall  of  1802,  when  he  entered  the  Sophomore  class  in 
Williams  College,  of  Avhich  class,  his  younger  brother  was 
then  the  instructor.  Though,  in  consequence  of  his  poverty 
he  was  obliged  during  some  part  of  his  collegiate  life,  to  en- 
gage in  keeping  school,  yet  by  a  close  application  to  study, 
he  was  enabled  to  maintain  a  respectable  standing  in  his 
class,  and  to  graduate  with  honor  in  1805.  Soon  after  he 
left  college  he  went  to  Lee,  and  pursued  his  theological 
studies  under  the  direction  of  the  late  venerable  Dr.  Hyde. 
He  was  licensed  to  preach  the  gospel  in  the  summer  of  1807, 
by  the  Berkshire  Association.  After  preaching  for  a  short 
time  on  probation,  he  received  a  call  from  the  congregation  in 
Middlesex,  (now  Darien)  in  Fairfield  County,  Ct.,  to  become 
their  pastor.  He  accepted  the  call,  and  was  ordained  and 
installed  pastor  of  that  church  in  the  fall  of  1807.  Here  he 
labored  with  great  diligence  for  nearly  twelve  years,  and 
was  successful  in  arousing  the  sleeping  energies  of  the 
church,  and  in  winning  souls  to  Christ.  A  goodly  number 
were  hopefully  converted  under  his  ministry  in  this  place. 
But  the  congregation  being  small,  they  felt  themselves  una- 
ble to  raise  an  adequate  support  for  his  increasing  family, 
unless  he  engaged  in  keeping  school.  He  therefore  felt  it  to 
be  his  duty  to  seek  another  field  of  labor.  Accordingly  the 
pastoral  relation  between  him  and  that  people  was  dissolved 
in  April,  1819.  He  was  employed  the  following  summer  as 
a  missionary  in  Western  New  York ;  and  in  October  of  that 
year,  he  removed  his  family  to  Meredith,  Delaware  County, 
and  was  shortly  after  installed  pastor  of  the  church  in  that 
place.     There  he  labored  with  great  fidelity  and  persever- 


OF     CONWAY.  119 

ance  for  about  sixteen  years.  The  population  being  then 
sparse,  and  the  congregation  being  extended  over  a  large  ter- 
ritory, his  labors  were  rendered  very  severe.  But  his  labors 
were  owned  and  blessed  of  God.  Five  seasons  of  general 
refreshing  were  enjoyed  by  his  people,  during  his  ministry 
among  them,  and  large  accessions  were  made  to  the  church. 
From  a  small  and  feeble  flock,  when  he  went  amongst  them, 
they  increased  to  a  large  and  respectable  church.  Mr.  Fisher 
had,  for  many  years,  been  afliicted  with  a  disorder  in  his 
stomach,  which  often  caused  him  great  distress.  In  conse- 
quence of  the  arduousness  of  his  labors  at  Meredith,  this  dis- 
order increased  upon  him  to  such  a  degree,  that  in  1835  he 
felt  himself  unable  any  longer  to  discharge  the  duties  re- 
quired of  him  in  that  extensive  congregation.  He  accord- 
ingly asked  and  received  a  dismission  from  his  people  in 
September,  1835.  He  then  removed  with  his  family  to  the 
State  of  Indiana,  where  his  oldest  son  had  previously  settled 
with  his  family.  He  purchased  a  farm  and  located  himself 
in  Allensville,  Switzerland  County.  Here  he  continued  to 
preach  the  gospel,  gratuitously,  to  the  destitute  inhabitants 
of  that  region.  He  succeeded  in  organizing  a  small  Presby- 
terian church  in  Allensville  ;  and  reorganized  another,  about 
nine  miles  distant,  which  had  fallen  into  decay.  To  these 
he  alternately  preached,  while  his  strength  enabled  him. 
After  he  became  too  feeble  to  minister  to  both,  he  confined 
his  labors  to  the  church  in  Allensville,  till  the  past  winter, 
when  he  took  a  severe  cold,  accompanied  with  a  distressing 
cough  and  great  prostration  of  strength,  which  terminated 
his  ministerial  labors.  He  continued  to  decline  till  the  19th 
of  April,  when  he  breathed  out  his  spirit  into  the  hands  of 
his  Redeemer. 

'•Mr.  Fisher  was  possessed  of  a  mild  and  amiable  disposi- 
tion ;  and  yet  he  Avas  firm  and  pesevering  in  whatever  he 
undertook.  This  trait  in  his  character  was  manifested  in  his 
acquiring  a  collegiate  education  almost  entirely  by  the  labor 
of  his  own  hands.     As  a  preacher,  he  was  warm  and  ani- 


120  CHURCHES      AND     MINISTERS 

mated.  He  prqached  the  doctrines  of  grace  plainly  and 
pointedly,  and  yet  with  much  simplicity.  His  hopes  of  a 
blessed  immortality  brightened  as  he  approached  the  close 
of  life  ;  and  he  cheerfully  resigned  up  his  soul  to  Him  who 
gave  it.  A  few  days  before  his  death,  he  was  informed  of 
the  death  of  one  of  his  classmates,  Rev.  William  Bonney  of 
Nelson,  Ohio,  when  he  said  to  his  family,  '  They  are  all 
getting  the  start  of  me,  but  I  shall  soon  follow.'  A  short 
time  before  he  expired,  he  was  asked  whether  he  still  felt 
that  glorious  confidence  in  his  Saviour.  He  ansAvered  em- 
phatically, /  do.  Mr.  Fisher  was  married  to  Miss  Rhoda 
Bard  well  of  Goshen,  Mass.,  Oct.  25,  1807.  By  her  he  had 
six  children,  three  sons  and  three  daughters.  All  his  chil- 
dren became  hopefully  pious.  His  sons  and  two  of  his 
daughters  survive  him." 

12.  Rev.  John  A.  Nash  was  born  in  Conway,  Sept.  8, 
1798  ;  graduated  at  Amherst  in  1824 ;  studied  theology  at 
Andover  and  at  New  Haven  ;  was  licensed  by  the  Hampshire 
East  Association,  in  the  fall  of  1826 ;  was  ordained  as  pastor 
in  Binghampton,  N.  Y.,  in  the  spring  of  1835,  and  remained 
there  three  years,  till  the  loss  of  health  compelled  him  to 
relinquish  the  ministry.  Both  previous  and  subsequent  to 
his  settlement,  Mr.  Nash  has  been  employed  as  a  teacher. 
He  has  taught  two  years  in  Hadley ;  one  in  Hopkinton,  N. 
H.  ;  six  in  New  York  city ;  seven  in  Pittsfield ;  and  six  in 
Amherst,  where  he  still  remains.  He  is  the  author  of  a  work 
called  the  "  Progressive  Farmer."  In  1852  he  became  a 
teacher  of  agriculture  in  Amherst  College.  In  1853  he  trav- 
elled several  months  in  England. 

13.  Rev.  Edward  W.  Root  was  born  in  Conway,  March 
15,  1820 ;  graduated  at  Yale  in  1844 ;  studied  theology  at 
New  Haven ;  was  a  tutor  in  Yale  College,  from  1847  to 
1850;  was  licensed  by  the  New  Haven  East  Association  in 
1848;  was  ordained  as  pastor  in  Williamsburg,  Nov.  13,  1850, 
and  the  sermon  was  preached  by  President  Woolsey  of  Yale 
College.     Mr.  Root  still  remains  in  Williamsburg. 


OF     CONWAY.  121 

14,  Rev.  Joseph  K.  Ware  was  born  in  Norwich,  ^Vpril  21, 
1793,  and  removed  to  Conway  at  three  years  of  age  ;  grad- 
uated at  Amherst  in  1824;  studied  theology  at  New  Haven; 
ordained  as  pastor  in  Palmer,  Nov.  12,  1827,  and  Rev.  Dr. 
Humphrey  preached  the  sermon ;  and  was  dismissed  from 
there,  March  16,  1831 ;  then  preached  several  years  in  New- 
ark, N.  Y.,  and  one  year  in  Walworth,  N.  Y.  ;  then  took 
charge  of  a  High  School  in  Palmyra,  N.  Y.,  two  years  ;  then 
supplied  in  Havanna  and  Burdette,  N.  Y.,  four  or  five  years, 
and  one  year  in  Dresden,  N.  Y. ;  and  for  several  years  past 
has  lived  in  Canandaigua,  N.  Y.,  supplying  neighboring 
churches,  as  his  health  would  permit.  He  is  a  brother  of 
Rev.  Samuel  Ware. 

15.  Rev.  Samuel  Ware  was  born  in  Norwich,  Sept.  5', 
1781,  and  removed  to  Conway,  about  1797;  graduated  at 
Williams  in  1808  ;  studied  theology  Avith  Rev.  Vinson  Gould 
of  Southampton ;  was  licensed  by  Hampshire  Association, 
October,  1809;  was  ordained  as  pastor  in  Ware,  Oct.  31, 
1810,  and  Rev.  Y.  Gould  preached  the  sermon.  William 
Hyde,  Esq.,  of  Ware,  says  of  him  in  his  published  address, 
delivered  at  the  opening  of  the  new  Town  Hall  in  that 
place,  in  1847 :  "  He  was  a  usefid  minister,  and  was  much 
blessed  in  his  labors  for  more  than  fifteen  years,  and  gath- 
ered one  hundred  and  ninety-seven  into  the  church.  *  *  * 
He  was  dismissed  in  consequence  of  ill  health  in  1826,  (July 
19),  and  the  following  vote,  passed  by  the  town,  July  3d,  will 
show  the  esteem  in  which  he  was  held."  "Voted,  unani- 
mously, that  agreeably  to  his  request  we  dismiss  and  cordially 
recommend  the  Rev.  Samuel  Ware,  as  an  exemplary  chris- 
tian, and  an  able,  judicious,  and  faithful  minister  of  the  gos- 
pel." Mr.  Ware  lived  from  1827  to  1833,  in  Conway;  from 
1833  to  1838,  in  Amherst;  from  1838  to  1848,  in  South 
Deerfield  ;  from  1848  to  1853,  in  Shelburne  ;  and  now  re- 
sides in  South  Deerfield.  Since  his  dismission,  he  has  sup- 
plied for  short  periods,  destitute  churches,  and  among  others,. 

16 


122  CHURCHES      AND     MINISTERS 

those  in  Rowe  and  Tolland.  He  is  a  brother  of  Rev.  Josepli 
K.  Ware. 

16.  Mr.  William  Ware^  son  of  Dr.  Samuel  Ware,  was 
born  in  Conway,  May  22,  1784;  studied  a  short  time  at 
Williams  College,  but  never  graduated  at  any  college  ;  prac- 
tised as  a  physician  in  Ware,  and  five  years  in  Westminster, 
West  Parish,  Vt.  ;  studied  theology  with  Rev.  Timothy 
Field  of  Westminster,  Yt. ;  was  licensed  by  the  Windham 
Association,  Vt.  ;  preached  in  Jefferson  County,  N.  Y.,  and 
two  years  in  Windsor,  Poquonnock  Parish,  Ct. ;  about  1829 
removed  to  Clear  Creek,  Chautauque  County,  N.  Y.,  where 
he  still  resides,  as  a  physician  and  farmer.  He  was  never 
ordained,  and  has  for  many  years  relinquished  preaching. 
About  1845  he  became  a  Baptist. 

Rev.  Sylvester  Hovey  went  to  Conway  to  live  in  1805, 
at  eight  years  of  age,  and  died  in  Hartford,  Ct.,  May  6,  1840, 
aged  43.  He  had  been  a  professor  in  several  colleges.  Rev. 
Daniel  Rice  was  born  in  Conway,  but,  as  he  removed  in 
early  life  to  Charlemont,  he  is  noticed  in  the  account  given 
of  the  ministers  originating  from  that  town.  Mr.  William  F. 
Avery  and  Mr.  Augustine  Root  of  Conway,  are  pursuing 
theological  studies  at  Andover,  preparatory  to  the  ministry. 

Of  the  sixteen  Congregational  preachers,  who  are  here 
reckoned  as  the  sons  of  Conway,  eleven  were  born  in  the 
town ;  eleven  were  graduates ;  twelve  have  either  been  pas- 
tors or  have  been  ordained ;  one  is  a  Foreign  Missionary ; 
and  ten  are  now  living. 

OTHER    DENOMINATIONS. 

Baptists.  The  Baptist  church  in  Conway  was  consti- 
tuted in  1788,  and  dissolved  in  1819,  and  reorganized  in 
1820,  and  the  number  of  members  in  1853,  was  110. 
Among  the  preachers  who  have  supplied  this  church,  are 
Revs.  Adam  Hamilton,  Amos  Shevi,  John  Leland,  Asa 
Todd,  Calvin  Keyes,  Josiah  Goddard,  Mr.  Himes,  Mr.  Grant, 


OF     DEERFIELD.  123 

Phineas  Pease,  Abbott  Howe,  William  H.  Rice,  David 
Wright,  Henry  H.  Rouse,  Joel  Keiiney,  P.  P.  Sanderson, 
Richard  Lentil,  C.  A.  Biickbee,  M.  Byrne,  and  Phineas 
Pease  in  1853.  The  following  Baptist  ministers  originated 
from  Conway,  viz.,  Revs.  Josiah  Goddard,  Foster  Hartwell, 
Calvin  Keyes,  and  Edmund  H.  Smith. 

Episcopalians.  Rev.  John  Avery,  of  this  order,  originated 
from  Conway. 

Methodists.  A  Methodist  class  was  formed,  May  18, 
1852,  and  was  reorganized  in  September,  1853,  and  now  has 
17  members.  They  have  been  supplied  by  Revs.  William 
F.  Lacount  and  A.  S.  Flagg  in  1853.  One  Methodist  min- 
ister. Rev.  Increase  B.  Bigelow,  originated  from  Conway. 

Unitarians.  Rev.  Luther  Hamilton,  of  this  denomina- 
tion, was  born  in  Conway,  He  once  belonged  to  the  Ortho- 
dox church  in  that  town. 

Universalists.  Revs.  Otis  W.  Bacon  and  W.  Wilcox, 
Universalist  preachers,  originated  from  this  town. 

Summary  of  Preachers  originating  from  Conway  :  Ortho- 
dox Congregationalists,  16  ;  Baptists,  4  ;  Episcopalians,  1  ; 
Methodists,  1  ;    Unitarians,  1  ;    Universalists,  2.     Total,  25. 

DEERFIELD. 

The  Indian  name  of  this  town  was  Pocomptuck,  and  it 
began  to  be  settled  by  white  people  about  1670,  and  was 
incorporated  May  24,  1682.  It  began  to  be  inhabited  before 
any  other  town  in  the  County,  and  has  been  the  scene  of 
dreadful  slaughter  by  the  Indians.  The  population  in  1850 
was  2421.  Within  the  limits  of  the  township  six  churches 
have  been  organized,  viz.,  four  Congregational,  one  Baptist, 
and  one  Methodist. 

ORTHODOX    congregationalists. 

First  Church.  The  first  Congregational  church  in  Deer- 
field  was  probably  organized  not  far  from  the  time  of  the 


124  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

settlement  of  the  first  pastor,  in  1686,  but  the  exact  period 
of  its  formation  cannot  be  ascertained,  as  the  early  church 
records  are  not  to  be  found.  So  far  as  can  be  learned,  the 
building  of  the  second  house  of  worship  was  commenced 
about  1693 ;  and  October,  1696,  it  was  "  voted  that  the  rules 
for  seating  the  Meeting-house  be  age,  estate,  and  dignity ;" 
the  next  house  was  built  in  1729  ;  and  the  present  one  was 
erected  in  1824.  Between  1696  and  1708  this  church 
received  from  the  General  Court  £110  for  the  support 
of  the  gospel.  This  church  became  Unitarian  in  the 
early  part  of  the  present  century.  While  it  maintained  its 
Orthodox  character  three  pastors  were  settled  over  it.  In 
the  121  years  since  the  probable  period  of  its  organization 
till  the  settlement  of  its  first  Unitarian  pastor,  it  had  settled 
pastors  about  110  years. 

Pastors.  1.*  Rev.  John  Williams  was  the  first  pastor 
ordained  in  the  county  ;  and  it  is  supposed  that  he  was 
settled  over  this  church  May  17,  1686.  He  was  born  in 
Roxbury,  Dec.  16,  1664  ;  was  the  grandson  of  Robert 
Williams,  who  came  from  Norwich,  England,  to  Roxbury 
in  1638,  and  from  whom  all  the  families  of  Williams,  in  this 
part  of  the  country,  are  supposed  to  have  originated.  He 
graduated  at  Harvard  in  1683.  The  following  account  of 
his  captivity,  at  the  capture  of  Deerfield,  is  taken  from  the 
American  Quarterly  Register,  vol.  10,  p.  268  :  "  On  the 
morning  of  Feb.  29,  1704,  the  town  was  attacked  by  200 
French  and  142  Indians,  from  Canada,  the  people  being 
almost  wholly  unguarded.  The  snow  was  four  feet  deep  on 
the  ground.  Mr.  Williams'  house  was  entered.  Two  in- 
fant children  and  a  black  domestic  Avere  murdered.  Him- 
self, his  wife,  and  five  children  were  taken  prisoners.  The 
number  of  prisoners  taken  in  Deerfield  was  112.  The  num- 
ber killed  was  47.  The  enemy  lost  about  the  same  number. 
The  distance  to  Canada  was  300  miles.  Mrs.  Williams, 
being  unable  to  travel,  was  tomahawked.  She  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  Rev.  Eleazer  Mather  of  Northampton.     On  the  25th 


OF     DEERFIELD.  135 

of  March,  Mr.  "Williams  reached  Chamblee,  15  miles  from 
Montreal.  In  1706  he  was  redeemed,  and,  with  57  of  the 
captives,  returned  down  the  St.  Lawrence  to  Boston,  which 
town  they  reached  on  the  21st  of  November.  Among  those 
who  returned  were  two  of  his  children.  The  others  were 
also  redeemed,  with  the  exception  of  his  daughter  Eunice, 
who  remained  in  Canada.  Mr.  Williams  did  not  return  im- 
mediately to  Deerfield.  On  the  30th  of  November  the  town 
chose  nine  commissioners  to  proceed  to  Boston  and  treat 
with  Mr.  Williams  for  his  resettlement.  He  accepted  the 
call,  though  the  war  still  continued  with  unabated  fury. 
On  the  the  9th  of  January,  1707,  the  town  agreed  to  build 
him  a  house,  '  as  big  as  Ensign  Sheldon's,  and  a  back  room 
as  big  as  may  be  thought  convenient.'  " 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  Mr.  Williams'  "  Re- 
deemed Captive"  :  "  They  came  to  my  house  in  the  begin- 
ning of  the  onset,  and,  by  their  violent  endeavors  to  break 
open  doors  and  windows  with  axes  and  hatchets,  awaked 
me  out  of  sleep  ;  on  which  I  leaped  out  of  bed,  and  running 
towards  the  door,  perceived  the  enemy  making  their  entrance 
into  the  house.  I  called  to  awaken  two  soldiers  in  the 
chamber,  and  turning  toward  my  bedside  for  my  arms,  the 
enemy  immediately  broke  into  the  room,  I  judge  to  the 
number  of  twenty,  with  painted  faces  and  hideous  acclama- 
tions. I  reached  up  my  hands  to  the  bed-tester  for  my 
pistol,  uttering  a  short  petition  to  God  for  everlasting  mer- 
cies for  me  and  mine,  on  account  of  the  merits  of  our  glori- 
fied Redeemer  ;  expecting  a  present  passage  through  the 
valley  of  the  shadow  of  death  ;  saying  in  myself,  as  Isaiah, 
iii.  10,  11,  'I  said,  in  the  cutting  off  of  my  days,  I  shall  go 
to  the  gates  of  the  grave  :  I  am  deprived  of  the  residue  of 
my  years.  I  said  I  shall  not  see  the  Lord,  even  the  Lord, 
in  the  land  of  the  living  :  I  shall  behold  man  no  more  with 
the  inhabitants  of  the  world.'  Takmg  down  my  pistol,  I 
cocked  it,  and  put  it  to  the  breast  of  the  first  Indian  that 
came  up ;  but  my  pistol  missing  fire  I  was  seized  by  three 


126  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

Indians,  who  disarmed  me  and  bound  me,  naked  as  I 
was,  in  my  shirt,  and  so  I  stood  for  near  the  space  of  an 
hour.  Binding  me,  they  told  me  they  would  carry  me  to 
Quebec.  *  *  * 

"  I  cannot  relate  the  distressing  care  I  had  for  my  dear 
wife,  who  had  lain  in  but  a  few  weeks  before  ;  and  for  my 
poor  children,  family  and  christian  neighbors.  The  enemy 
fell  to  rifling  the  house,  and  entered  in  great  numbers  into 
every  room.  I  begged  of  God  to  remember  mercy  in  the 
midst  of  judgment ;  that  he  would  so  far  restrain  their  wrath 
as  to  prevent  their  murdering  of  us  ;  that  we  might  have 
grace  to  glorify  his  name,  whether  in  life  or  death  ;  and,  as 
I  was  able,  committed  our  state  to  God." 

Allen's  Biographical  Dictionary  says  of  him:  "At  length, 
after  witnessing  the  most  agonizing  scenes  during  a  journey 
of  three  hundred  miles,  Mr.  Williams  arrived  in  Canada. 
Here  new  trials  awaited  him,  for  every  exertion  was  made 
to  convert  this  heretic  to  Popery.  His  Indian  master,  after 
seeing  the  inefficacy  of  other  methods,  lifted  his  hatchet 
over  the  head  of  his  prisoner,  and  threatened  to  bury  it  in 
his  brains  if  he  did  not  instantly  cross  himself  and  kiss  a 
crucifix  ;  but  Mr.  Williams  was  governed  by  too  elevated 
principles  to  be  made  to  violate  conscience  from  regard  to 
his  life." 

A  note  in  Holmes'  American  Annals  says  :  "  One  of  his 
daughters  [Eunice]  became  assimilated  to  the  Indians,  to  one 
of  whom  she  was  afterwards  married.  No  solicitations  could 
prevail  with  her  to  leave  her  family,  or  to  renounce  the  Ro- 
man Catholic  religion,  which  was,  with  much  artifice,  instilled 
into  her  mind,  at  an  age  and  in  circumstances  favorable  to 
the  seduction.  She  repeatedly  visited  her  relations  in  New 
England;  but  she  uniformly  persisted  in  wearing  her  blan- 
ket and  counting  her  beads." 

After  his  return  from  captivity  he  married  his  second 
wife.  Miss  Abigail  Allen  of  Windsor,  Ct.  Three  of  his  sons 
became  ministers  of  the  gospel,  viz.,  Eleazer,  Stephen,  and 


OF     DEERFIELD.  127 

Warham  ;  the  last  two  of  these  were  carried  into  captivity 
with  their  father.  Eleazer  was  a  pastor  in  Mansfield,  Ct.  ; 
Stephen  was  a  pastor  at  Springfield,  (now  Longmeadow) ; 
and  Warham  was  a  pastor  at  Watertown,  (now  Waltham). 
Two  of  his  daughters  married  ministers.  Four  of  his  grand- 
sons were  ministers  ;  and  eight  of  his  grand-daughters  mar- 
ried ministers.  Rev.  Eleazer  Williams,  an  Episcopal  minister 
at  Green  Bay,  Wisconsin,  has  been  represented  by  some  as 
being  the  DaKjihm,  the  son  of  Louis  the  Sixteenth,  late 
king  of  France  ;  but  it  appears  more  probable  that  he  is  the 
grandson  of  Eunice  Williams,  and  the  great-grandson  of 
Rev.  John  Williams  of  Deerfield. 

Mr.  Williams  published  several  works  besides  the  "  Re- 
deemed Captive,"  and  preached  the  Convention  sermon  at 
Boston  in  1728.  He  died  while  a  pastor  at  Deerfield  with 
the  apoplexy,  June  12,  1729,  aged  64,  and  in  the  forty-fourth 
year  of  his  ministry.  Rev.  Isaac  Chauncey  of  Hadley 
preached  his  funeral  sermon. 

The  Boston  News  Letter  contained  the  following  biograph- 
ical notice  of  him,  viz.  :  "  God,  who  first  sent  him  to  us,  and 
inclined  his  heart  to  settle  Avith  us  in  our  small  beginnings, 
hath  made  him  a  great  blessing  unto  us.  His  heart  was 
engaged  in  his  work,  and  [he]  was  abundant  in  his  labors, 
both  in  season  and  out  of  season  ;  plainly,  faithfully,  and 
frequently  warning,  urging,  and  entreating  both  elder  and 
younger  unto  piety  and  perseverance  in  it.  He  was  much 
in  prayer,  and  singularly  gifted  in  it.  We  hope  through 
grace  he  has  left  many  seals  of  his  ministry  among  us. 
The  divine  Providence  which  fixed  his  post  in  one  of  the 
frontier  towns  of  the  Province,  fitted  him  for  it  by  giving 
him  patience  and  cheerfulness  of  spirit,  so  that  he  was  won- 
derfully carried  through  all  the  difficulties,  distractions  and 
dangers  that  he  encountered.  And  his  prayers,  counsel  and 
example  did  not  a  little  contribute  to  the  support  and  en- 
couragement of  his  people  from  time  to  time." 

Rev.   Rodolphus  Dickinson  thus  describes  him  :    "  The 


128 


CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 


character  of  Mr.  Williams  was  extensively  known,  and  held 
in  high  estimation,  as  may  be  learned,  aside  from  other 
respectful  attentions,  by  his  appointment  to  preach  to  a 
general  Convention  of  the  clergymen  of  Massachusetts,  at 
Boston.  He  is  represented  by  his  contemporaries,  who  have 
witnessed  his  efforts  before  the  most  enlightened  and  power- 
ful auditories  in  the  Province,  as  a  powerful  and  affecting 
preacher.  He  is  also  commended  for  his  domestic  virtues, 
his  eminent  piety,  humility,  sincerity  and  goodness  of  heart. 
His  voluntary  abandonment  of  the  scenes  of  his  beloved 
nativity,  secure  from  the  incursions  of  the  savages,  to  settle 
in  a  frontier  place,  perpetually  exposed  to  their  depredations, 
where  personal  safety,  so  indispensable  to  other  enjoyments, 
was  for  many  years  a  stranger  to  their  habitations  ;  and  his 
return  to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  subject  to  the  same 
dangers,  after  the  complicated  afflictions  of  his  captivity, 
evince  his  ardent  love  for  the  people  of  his  care,  and  testify 
that  he  was  animated  with  the  spirit  of  a  martyr  in  the  ad- 
vancement of  the  gospel.  It  is  impossible  to  peruse  his 
interesting  narrative  of  the  destruction  of  Deeriield,  and  the 
slaughter  and  captivity  of  its  inhabitants,  in  the  suffering  in 
which  he  so  largely  participated,  without  being  inspired 
with  a  respect  for  his  talents  and  piety,  and  an  admiration  of 
that  unexampled  fortitude  which  could  sustain  him  under 
private  calamities  such  as  rarely  happen  to  man,  and  a  view 
of  public  desolations,  similar,  though  less  extended,  to  those 
apostrophized  by  the  mournful  son  of  Hilkiah.  But  a  holy 
resignation  to  the  Supreme  Disposer  of  events  was  the  balm 
of  every  sorrow.  His  path  was  lighted  by  a  hope  that  looks 
beyond  this  transient  scene.  He  was  redeemed  from  the 
flames,  passed  through  the  wilderness  and  sea  of  dangers, 
and,  as  we  trust,  reached  a  temple  eternal  in  the  heavens." 
The  length  of  Mr.  Williams'  ministry  in  Deerfield,  includ- 
ing the  two  years  of  his  absence  in  Canada,  was  about  forty- 
three  years. 

During  Mr.  Williams'  absence   in  Canada  a  Mr.  Choate 


OF     DEERFIELD.  129 

preached  for  this  people  ;  and,  after  Mr.  Williams'  death, 
the  pulpit  was  supplied  for  a  time  by  Revs.  Benjamin  Pier- 
point,  John  Warren,  and  James  Chandler,  all  three  of  whom 
were  invited  to  Settle,  but  declined. 

2.*  Rev.  Jonathan  Ashley  was  the  second  pastor  of  this 
church,  and  was  ordained,  Nov.  8,  1732,  and  the  sermon  was 
by  Rev.  William  Williams  of  Hatfield,  and  was  published. 
Mr.  Ashley  was  born  in  Westfield  about  1712,  and  was  a 
descendant  of  Robert  Ashley,  who  came  from  England  and 
settled  in  Springfield  in  1639,  and  was  a  relative,  probably  a 
cousin,  of  Rev.  Joseph  Ashley,  once  a  pastor  in  Sunderland. 
He  graduated  at  Yale  in  1730.  In  the  controversy  respect- 
ing the  qualifications  for  church  membership  that  was 
prevalent  in  the  country  during  his  ministry,  he  was  in 
opposition  to  President  Edwards,  and,  after  the  president's 
dismission,  preached  by  request  on  the  subject  in  North- 
ampton, and  the  discourse  was  published.  In  the  war  of 
the  revolution  he  was  inclined  to  favor  the  cause  of  the 
British,  and  occasionally  introduced  politics  into  his  ser- 
mons. According  to  tradition,  when  he  was  once  preach- 
ing in  Greenfield,  and  discoursed  in  the  morning  too  favorably 
in  behalf  of  American  toryism  to  suit  the  people,  the  meet- 
ing-house was  fastened  up  in  the  afternoon,  and  he  was 
prevented  from  preaching.  He  afterwards  preached  in  his 
own  pulpit  in  Deerfield  concerning  the  doom  of  those  Ameri- 
cans who  had  fallen  at  Lexington,  as  being  fearful  in  the- 
future  world:  and,  on  the  next  Sabbath,  when  he  attempted 
to  enter  the  pulpit,  he  found  it  firmly  fastened  up  with 
spikes.  Requesting  a  deacon  present,  who  was  a  black- 
smith, to  unfasten  the  pulpit,  the  deacon  gravely  replied  that 
he  did  not  use  his  tools  on  the  Saibbath.  Mr.  Ashley  then 
sent  for  an  axe  or  maul,  and  split  down  the  door  of  the 
pulpit  before  the  eyes  of  the  congregation,  and  held  the 
service.  An  intelligent  Deerfield  correspondent  says  of  him  :: 
"  He  would  send  for  the  young  men  to  his  study  and  ad- 
monish them  for  their  roguish  tricks.  The  hoys  believed 
17 


130  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

he  had  transcendental  powers,  for  their  more  private  and 
secret  transactions  seemed  to  be  known  to  him.  He  sent 
for  two  boys  on  one  occasion  and  told  them  to  bring  their 
CARDS  ;  and,  after  severely  reprimanding  them,  ordered  them 
to  burn  their  cards,  and  to  throw  them  into  the  fire  in  his 
presence."  He  refused  to  act  in  the  council  for  settling 
Rev.  John  Ballantine  in  Westfield,  in  1741,  because  the 
churches  invited  were  not  named  in  the  letters  missive. 
Rev.  John  Taylor,  his  successor,  says  of  him  :  "  Mr.  Ashley 
had  a  discriminating  mind,  independence  of  feeling,  and  was 
a  pungent  and  energetic  preacher."  Allen's  Biographical 
Dictionary  thus  speaks  of  him  :  "  He  possessed  a  strong  and 
discerning  mind,  and  lively  imagination,  and  was  a  pungent 
and  energetic  preacher.  He  proclaimed  the  doctrines  of 
grace  with  a  pathos  which  was  the  effect  not  merely  of  his 
assent  to  their  divine  authority,  but  of  a  deep  sense  and 
lively  view  of  their  importance  and  excellency."  The 
American  Quarterly  Register  says  :  "  Mr.  Ashley  is  said  to 
have  been  a  man  of  ready  talents,  and  many  of  his  sermons 
in  the  latter  part  of  his  life  were  delivered  from  very  com- 
pendious notes."  During  his  ministry  of  forty-eight  years 
at  Deerfield,  he  officiated  in  249  marriages,  and  1,009  bap- 
tisms. A  citizen  of  Deerfield  gives  this  account  of  him  : 
"  Mr.  Ashley  was  a  tall,  well  proportioned,  venerable  looking 
man,  ranking  in  biblical  knowledge  and  theology  next  to 
President  Edwards.  His  Sunday  exercises  were  unusually 
long  and  wearisome.  He  commenced  without  an  introduc- 
tory prayer,  and  th«  congregation  sung  but  once  in  the 
morning.  They  assembled  at  ten,  and  the  clock  would 
often  strike  eleven  before  his  prayer  was  finished.  He 
would  then  take  his  Bible,  read  his  text,  lay  it  aside,  and 
looking  straight  forward,  neither  to  the  right  nor  to  the  left, 
address  his  congregation  till  the  clock  struck  twelve."  On 
account  of  the  dissatisfaction  among  his  people  with  his 
politics,  they  refused  for  several  years,  contrary  to  their 
agreement,  to  procure  for  him  his  firewood.     A  council  was 


OF     DEERFIELD. 


131 


called  and  was  held  ten  days.  John  Trumbnll,  the  histo- 
rian, advocated  the  case  of  the  people.  During  the  session 
of  this  council  occurred  the  dark  day,  May  19,  1780.  Mr. 
Ashley  was  sick  at  this  time,  and  the  sickness  proved  to  be 
his  last.  He  died  pastor  of  the  church,  Aug.  28,  1780,  aged 
68.  Rev.  David  Parsons,  Sen.,  of  Amherst,  preached  his 
funeral  sermon.  The  following  is  the  epitaph  on  his  grave- 
stone :  "  Leaving  a  name  dear  to  his  friends  and  acquaintance 
for  his  social  and  pleasing  deportment,  and  particularly  for 
his  zeal  in  the  cause  of  Christianity,  which,  united  with 
superior  knowledge,  and  a  ready  utterance  of  moral  and 
divine  truths,  rendered  him  a  shining  light  in  the  station 
where  God  had  placed  him."  The  length  of  his  ministry  in 
Deerfield  was  nearly  forty-eight  years. 

Between  the  pastorates  of  Mr.  Ashley  and  his  next  suc- 
cessor, Rev.  Samuel  Goodrich  was  invited  to  settle,  but 
declined. 

3.*  Rev.  John  Taylor  was  the  third  pastor,  and  was 
ordained  Feb.  14,  1787,  and  was  dismissed  on  account  of  ill 
health  and  a  failure  of  his  voice,  Aug.  6,  1806.  He  was 
born  in  Westfield,  Dec.  23,  1762.  He  was  the  fourteenth 
child  of  Hon.  Eldad  Taylor,  who  was  the  fourteenth  child 
of  Rev.  Edward  Taylor,  who  came  from  England  in  1668, 
and  was  the  first  minister,  and  for  a  time  the  only  physician 
in  Westfield,  and  was  guided  in  his  first  journey  to  the  place  by 
marked  trees.  Rev.  John  Ta^'lor  graduated  at  Yale  in  1784, 
and  studied  theology  with  Rev.  Mr.  Atwater  of  Westfield. 
In  1802  he  performed  a  few  months  of  missionary  service 
under  the  Hampshire  Missionary  Society,  in  the  Black  River 
country,  N.  Y.  The  instructive  missionary  journal  which 
he  kept  has  been  incorporated  into  the  documentary  history 
of  New  York.  In  1807,  one  year  after  his  dismission  from 
Deerfield,  he  removed  to  Enfield,  Ct.,  and  engaged  in  agri- 
culture, and  was  often  elected  to  represent  the  town  in  the 
State  Legislature,  and  as  health  improved  he  preached  oc- 
casionally, and  received   one   invitation  to  settle.     In  1817 


132  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

he  removed  to  Mendon,  N.  Y.,  supplied  the  destitute  settle- 
ments around  him  with  preaching,  and  was  an  efficient  agent 
in  organizing  numerous  Congregational  churches,  and  was 
invited  to  settle  at  Canandaigua,  N.  Y.  He  removed  to 
Bruce,  Michigan,  in  1832,  where  he  preached  and  labored  till 
his  death.  One  of  his  sons  thus  speaks  of  him,  in  reference 
to  his  residence  m  Michigan:  "Although  he  had  attained  to 
three  score  years  and  ten,  when  he  first  entered  upon  the 
work  allotted  to  him  in  that  rude  wilderness,  he  preached  to 
his  little  congregation  for  eight  years  with  scarce  a  single 
intermission  from  bodily  weakness  or  ill-health  ;  and  his 
intellectual  powers  seemed  in  no  degree  to  suffer  decay  on 
account  of  his  advancing  years.  In  1835  he  wrote  to  one  of 
his  children,  '  I  assure  you  our  days  in  our  old  age  are  spent 
happily.  My  health  is  good,  although  I  feel  more  and  more 
the  debility  of  old  age.  I  am  able  to  preach  regularly,  and 
am  much  encouraged  by  having  an  excellent  church  of  about 
thirty  members,  and  a  constant  and  attentive  audience.'  In 
1838  he  wrote,  '  I  send  you  the  Michigan  Observer,  in  which 
you  will  find  some  of  my  ideas  respecting  slavery.  I  know 
not  how  you  view  this  agitating  subject,  but  I  think  I  fore- 
see consequences  that  are  alarming.  The  question  of 
slavery  is,  and  must  be  agitated,  be  the  consequences  what 
they  may.  There  is  no  national  sin  (except,  perhaps,  our 
treatment  of  the  Indian  tribes)  of  equal  magnitude  with  this. 
We  have  had  for  four  or  five  weeks  a  most  powerful  and 
wonderful  work  of  God  going  on  among  us.  It  began  in  a 
protracted  meeting  in  Romeo.  *  *  *  After  which  we  kept 
up  the  meeting  in  our  school-house,  and  all  the  people. 
Deists,  Universalists,  scoffers,  &.C.,  except  about  eight  or  ten, 
are  rejoicing  in  the  Lord.  This  has  been  the  most  remarka- 
ble display  of  grace  I  have  ever  witnessed.'  *  *  *  There 
were  two  causes,  dear  to  humanity,  which  deeply  engaged 
his  sympathies  while  he  lived  in  Michigan,  Temperance 
and  Human  Freedom  ;  and  although  his  great  age  might  have 
been  pleaded  with  justice  as  a  reason  for  exemption  from  all 


OF     DEERFIELD, 


133 


extra  labors,  intellectual  or  physical,  yet,  when  his  assist- 
ance was  solicited,  he  made  no  such  plea,  but  was  always 
ready  to  render  his  aid  in  the  promotion  of  those  humane 
and  benevolent  enterprizes.  Copies  of  his  addresses  were 
often  secured  for  the  press,  and  had  a  large  circulation. 
The  vigor  of  his  mind  remained  in  a  high  degree  unim- 
paired to  the  last." 

He  died  with  the  apoplexy,  after  lingering  in  an  unconscious 
state  one  week,  Dec.  20,  1840,  lacking  three  days  of  being 
78  years  old.  He  published  a  discourse,  which  he  preached 
on  the  centennial  anniversary  of  the  destruction  of  Deer- 
field  by  the  French  and  Indians  in  1704 ;  and  also  published 
in  the  Greenfield  paper  a  lucid  account  of  that  strange  sect 
in  Leyden  called  Dorrelites.  He  married  Miss  Elizabeth 
Terry  of  Enfield,  Ct.,  by  whom  he  had  eleven  children, 
seven  of  whom  lived  to  adult  years,  only  three  of  whom  are 
now  living.  All  his  children,  who  lived  to  reach  manhood, 
and  fourteen  of  his  thirty  grandchildren,  have  either  died  in 
the  faith  of  the  gospel,  or  are  members  of  evangelical 
churches.  His  descendants  are  scattered  abroad  in  Con- 
necticut, New  York,  Michigan,  Missouri,  South  Carolina, 
Texas  and  California. 

The  following  article,  relative  to  Mr.  Taylor,  was  fur- 
nished for  the  "  Ladies'  Repository,"  Cincinnati,  Ohio, 
by  Rev.  Resin  Sapp,  a  circuit  preacher  of  the  Methodist 
denomination  : 

"  The  fully  Ripe:' 

"  Observe  his  awful  portrait  and  admire  ; 
Nor  stop  at  wonder  :  imitate  and  live." 

"  On  a  lowering  and  murky  Saturday  evening  in  Decem- 
ber, my  horse  stopped  at  the  residence  of  an  aged  Congrega- 
tional minister,  who  resided  in  the  neighborhood  of  one  of  my 
regular  Sabbath  appointments,  in  the  northern  part  of  Michi- 
gan.    I  gently  tapped  at  the  door,  having  my  portmanteau 


134  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

resting  on  my  left  arm.  I  was  immediately  ushered  in  by 
the  amiable  hostess  of  the  house,  the  daughter-in-law  of 
the  old  gentleman,  by  whom  I  was  introduced  to  him.  I 
found  him  to  be, 

'  An  aged  man,  a  man  of  cares, 

.  Wrinkled  and  curved,  and  white  with  hoary  hairs.' 

"  He  had  transcended  the  period  allotted  to  the  children  of 
men,  as  pilgrims  on  earth  ;  and  to  be  released  from  the  buzz 
of  the  world  had  taken  up  his  residence  in  a  quiet  and  peace- 
ful neighborhood,  waiting  the  call  of  his  Master  to  enter  the 
upper  sanctuary.  His  features  were  those  of  an  aged  pil- 
grim. I  was  reminded  of  Abraham,  the  friend  of  God,  and 
of  Israel,  ready  to  gather  up  his  feet  and  depart.  The  old  gen- 
tleman had  accompanied  his  son  to  this  country  eight  or  ten 
years  ago,  and  had  since  then  gathered  around  him  a  small 
but  interesting  flock,  consisting  principally  of  Scotch  Pres- 
byterians, and  his  own  countrymen,  New  Englanders.  To 
these  he  ministered  each  succeeding  Sabbath  the  treasures 
of  the  gospel  from  his  well-stored  and  deeply  pious  mind.  I 
had  not  been  in  his  company  long,  before  I  found  myself 
sitting  at  the  feet  of  a  teacher,  who  in  his  conversation  was 
remarkably  interesting  and  instrnctive.  He  had  been  edu- 
cated in  one  of  the  New  England  colleges,  expressly  for  the 
ministry,  and  this  was  the  fifty-third  year  of  his  attendance 
at  the  altar.  It  was  like  talking  to  past  ages.  He  had  been 
a  close  observer  of  transpiring  events.  He  spake  of  religion 
as  it  existed  sixty  years  since  in  the  land  of  steady  habits, 
and  of  the  wonderful  changes  which  had  come  over  the  face 
of  things  since  that  period.  He  vividly  described  the  prog- 
ress of  the  French  infidelity,  and  the  danger  which  many 
supposed  religion  was  in,  of  receiving  a  final  overthrow.  He 
said,  'I  am  truly  astonished  at  the  contrast  presented  between 
the  sermons  written  in  those  days,  and  those  written  after 
the  storm  had  subsided.'  He  then  adverted  to  the  rapid  rise 
and  immediate  succession  of  Unitarian  ism,  which  had  made 


OF     DEERFIELD. 


135 


its  appearance  but  a  short  time  before  the  age  of  infidelity, 
and  seemed  to  think  that  the  latter  was  aided  in  its  progress 
by  the  fojmer.  After  mentioning  these  things  with  great 
apparent  interest,  a  flash  of  joy  beamed  in  his  countenance, 
as  he  spake  of  the  final  triumph  of  religion  and  vital  piety. 
Our  conversation  gradually  changed  from  one  subject  to  an- 
other. He  was  familiar  with  the  early  politicians  of  our 
country.  He  spake  of  the  elder  Adams,  of  Hamilton,  and 
the  great  Jefterson,  on  whom  he  passed  some  severe  criti- 
cisms. At  length  I  asked'his  views  of  the  Millenium.  His 
answer  awakened  my  deepest  interest.  He  thought  the  pe- 
riod was  approaching,  and  believed  it  would  be  gradual. 
The  revivals  of  religion,  which  were  taking  place  through- 
out the  length  and  breadth  of  the  land,  were  the  mere  pre- 
cursors of  some  great  moral  revolution.  In  confirmation  of 
this,  he  referred  to  the  prophecies,  and  spake  particularly  of 
the  calculations  made  upon  the  mystical  periods  in  the  book 
of  Daniel.  He  had  lived,  when  revivals  were  almost  un- 
known to  the  people  of  New  England  ;  and  in  two  instances 
where  they  commenced  in  his  church,  they  were  not  under- 
stood, and  discouraged.  In  speaking  of  the  evident  changes 
in  religious  feelings  and  societies  as  evidence  of  the  approach 
of  this  long  expected  period,  he  remarked  with  emotion, 
'  There  is  something  important  at  our  door ;  and  I  appre- 
hend that  the  day  of  the  battle  of  God  Almighty  is  at  hand. 
Some  great  events  are  almost  bursting  upon  us.  Fire  thrown 
from  the  altar  into  the  world,  will  produce  commotion.  The 
political  appearances  of  Europe  and  Asia  at  this  time  indi- 
cate mighty  conflicts  and  revolution.' 

"  The  hours  of  evening  passed  with  interest,  until  the 
clock  struck  nine,  when  he  observed  that  the  time  for  retire- 
ment had  come.  He  arose  and  went  to  the  book-case,  and 
took  down  a  large  family  Bible,  and  read  the  third  chapter 
.of  the  first  book  of  Samuel,  which  gave  the  account  of  Sam- 
uel's call  to  the  office  of  a  prophet.  This  was  the  chapter  in 
regular  order  for  family  devotion.     I  was  invited  to  attend 


136  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

the  service  at  the  altar.  This  done,  we  retired  with  the 
most  interesting  and  pleasing  feelings  for  our  nightly  repose. 
Little  did  any  of  us  think  that  this  aged  minister's  end  was 
so  near  at  hand ;  or  that  the  measure  of  his  days  was  full. 
How  uncertain  is  life !  It  was  even  so ;  his  last  hour  was 
expiring.  I  arose  the  next  morning  and  found  him  com- 
muning with  the  ^'Holy  Book  divine."  The  services  of  the 
morning  were  unusually  solemn — just  as  they  should  be  in 
the  chamber  of  death.  He  read  the  chapter  in  order ;  and 
assisted  by  his  grand-daughter,  a  girl  of  about  twelve  years  of 
age,  who  stood  by  his  chair  and  rested  her  arm  around  his 
neck,  sung  one  of  Watts'  beautiful  hymns ;  after  which,  he 
offered  his  last  audible  prayer.  He  retired  to  his  room  to 
prepare  for  church,  and  while  there  fell  to  the  floor :  I  as- 
sisted to  raise  and  place  him  on  the  bed.  But  his  labors 
were  closed.  He  was  gathered,  as  fruit  fully  ripe,  into  the 
garner  of  the  Lord.  There  fell  one  of  Zion's  polished 
pillars." 

On  his  gravestone  in  Bruce,  Macomb  County,  Michigan, 
is  the  following  epitaph : — "Living  the  faith  of  our  Lord  Je- 
sus Christ,  he  preached  the  gospel  faithfully  for  half  a  centu- 
ry, according  to  the  doctrine,  order,  and  discipline  of  Christ 
and  his  apostles,  as  practised  by  his  pious  Puritan  New  Eng- 
land ancestors,  and  fell  asleep,  Dec.  20,  1840,  aged  78 
years."  Beside  hio  remains  rest  those  of  his  beloved  com- 
panion, with  whom  he  had  lived  more  than  half  a  century 
in  remarkable  conjugal  felicity.  Mr.  Taylor's  ministry  in 
Deerfield  was  about  nineteen  years  and  a  half. 

Mr.  Taylor  was  the  last  Orthodox  pastor  settled  over  the 
first  church  in  Deerfield.  A  council  was  called,  Aug.  11, 
1807,  to  settle  Rev.  Samuel  Willard  as  pastor  of  the  church ; 
but  they  declined  to  do  it  on  account  of  his  sentiments. 
Another  council,  entertaining  Unitarian  sentiments,  was 
called  from  a  distance,  Sept.  23,  1807,  by  whom  he  was 
settled.  A  written  controversy  relative  to  this  transaction, 
and  the  settlement  of  Rev.  G.  S.  Olds  in  Greenfield,  was  car- 


OF     DEERFIELD.  137 

ried  on  in  the  community,  in  which  five  pamphlets  were 
published,  and  by  the  perusal  of  which,  a  more  full  under- 
standing of  the  case  may  be  obtained. 

Of  the  three  pastors  settled  over  this  church  while  it  re- 
mained Orthodox,  one  was  dismissed  ;  all  are  dead ;  and  the 
average  length  of  their  ministry  in  Deerfield  was  about  thir- 
ty-six years. 

In  1807,  Rev.  Samuel  P.  Williams  was  invited  to  settle  as 
pastor,  but  declined.  A  notice  of  the  Unitarian  pastors  of 
this  church  may  be  found  in  the  account  of  the  Unitarians 
in  Deerfield. 

Second  Church.  The  present  Orthodox  Congregational 
church  in  Deerfield,  as  distinguished  from  South  Deerfield, 
was  organized  June  2,  1835,  with  18  members.  Meetivg- 
house :  The  first  and  present  house  of  worship,  belonging  to 
this  church  and  people,  was  built  in  1838.  Previous  to  this 
time,  they  had  worshipped  in  the  central  school-house.  Re- 
vivals: Some  more  than  usual  religious  interest  was  enjoyed 
in  this  community  in  the  years  1837  and  1839.  Nine  were 
added  to  the  church  in  1837,  and  seventeen  in  1839.  Char- 
itable aid:  This  church  began  to  receive  charitable  aid  in 
supporting  the  gospel  in  1836,  and  has  received  $2,350. 
The  amount  contributed  to  objects  of  benevolence  in  1853, 
was  $57  65.  The  number  in  the  Sabbath  School  in  1852, 
was  120.  The  number  of  members  in  the  church  in  1853, 
was  85.  For  a  short  period  after  its  organization,  this  church 
was  supplied  with  preaching  by  the  neighboring  ministers  ; 
and  then  by  Revs.  Messrs.  liUcius  Field,  Gordon  Dorrance, 
Barber,  and  Russell ;  Rev.  Pomroy  Belden  then  preached  as 
a  stated  supply  from  1837  to  1842.  This  church  has  had 
two  pastors  settled  over  it ;  and  in  the  eighteen  years  of  its 
existence  has  had  a  settled  ministry  about  ten  years. 

Pastors.     1.  Rev.  Henry  Seymour  was  settled  as  pastor 
of  this  church,  March  1,   1843,  and  was  dismissed,   March 
14,  1849.     He  was  born  in  Hadley,  Oct.  20,  1816 ;  grad- 
uated at  Amherst  in  1838 ;  finished  the  theological  course 
18 


138 


CHURCHES     AND     5IINISTE: 


at  the  Union  Theological  Seminary,  New  York,  in  1842. 
He  was  installed  as  pastor  in  East  Hawley,  Oct.  3,  1849, 
and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  T.  Packard,  Jr..  Mr.  Seymour 
still  preaches  in  Hawley.  His  ministry  in  Deerfield  was 
about  six  years. 

2.  Rev.  Alfred  E.  Ives  was  installed  as  pastor  of  this 
church,  Sept.  5,  1849,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  S.  G, 
Buckingham  of  Springfield.  Mr.  Ives  was  born  in  New 
Haven,  Ct.,  Dec.  12,  1809;  graduated  at  Yale  in  1837; 
studied  theology  at  New  Haven ;  was  ordained  as  pastor  in 
Colebrook,  Ct.,  Sept.  25,  1838,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev. 
Dr.  Bacon  ;  and  was  dismissed  from  Colebrook,  May  2,  1848. 
Mr.  Ives  is  still  pastor  in  Deerfield,  and  in  the  fifth  year  of 
his  ministry  there. 

Of  the  two  pastors  of  this  church,  one  was  dismissed  ; 
both  are  living  ;  and  the  average  length  of  their  ministry  in 
Deerfield  was  about  five  years. 

First  Church  in  South  Deerfield.  This  part  of  the 
town  began  to  be  settled  about  1750,  and  the  inhabitants  of 
it  most  generally  attended  public  worship  in  the  ancient 
village  in  this  ancient  town,  until  the  settlement  of  Rev. 
Dr.  Willard  in  1807.  Those  members  of  the  first  church  in 
Deerfield,  who  resided  in  South  Deerfield,  not  being  satisfied 
with  the  sentiments  of  their  pastor,  requested  a  dismission 
from  the  church  ;  their  request  being  denied,  they  asked  the 
church  to  unite  with  them  in  calling  a  mutual  council  to  act 
in  the  case  by  giving  advice  to  the  parties ;  this  request 
likewise  being  denied,  thirty-five  of  the  members  called  an 
ex  parte  council,  Dec.  23,  1807,  for  advice.  The  council 
advised  the  aggrieved  members  to  consider  themselves  as 
being  no  longer  connected  with  that  church,  and  also  as 
being  at  liberty  to  unite  with  such  evangelical  churches  as 
they  might  choose.  In  accordance  with  this  advice,  they 
continued  to  worship  with  various  churches  in  the  vicinity 
for  several  years,  until  they  procured  preaching  for  them- 
selves. The  first  Congregational  church  in  South  Deerfield 
^vas  organized,  June  30,  1818,  with  eighty  members.     The 


OF      DEERFIELD.  139 

first  Meeting-house  of  this  church  and  people  was  built  in 
1821,  and  was  rebuilt  and  removed  about  half  a  mile  south 
of  its  original  location  in  1848,  and  is  the  house  of  worship 
now  used  by  this  church  and  society.  The  account  of 
revivals  in  this  church  cannot  be  given  so  fully  as  is  desira- 
ble, on  account  of  the  loss  of  some  portion  of  the  records. 
A  revival  was  enjoyed  in  1826;  also  in  1828,  and  eighteen 
were  added  to  the  church  ;  likewise  in  1838,  and  fifty-eight 
were  added  to  the  church.  This  church  called  councils  to 
settle  difficulties  in  December,  1836  ;  in  June,  1843  ;  and  in 
January,  1846.  In  the  thirty-five  years  since  the  organiza- 
tion of  this  church,  it  has  had  a  settled  ministry  about 
twenty-six  years,  and  has  been  destitute  of  the  same  about 
nine  years.  The  amount  contributed  to  the  cause  of  chris- 
tian benevolence  in  1853  was  |248  10.  The  number  in 
the  Sabbath  School  in  1852  was  100.  The  church  in  1853 
numbered  86.  In  1848,  Rev.  George  Lyman  was  invited  to 
settle  as  pastor  of  the  church,  but  declined.  Somewhere 
between  1780  and  1787,  the  first  religious  society  in  Ueer- 
field  allowed  the  people  in  South  Deerfield  to  have  ,^132  of 
the  ministerial  fund  to  procure  preaching  for  themselves  ; 
and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Dwight,  who  was  afterwards  President  of 
Yale  College,  supplied  them  six  months.  In  1818,  South 
Deerfield  received  $1700  as  their  portion  of  the  ministerial 
fund.  Previous  to  the  settlement  of  a  pastor  in  South 
Deerfield,  Rev.  Rufus  Pomeroy  preached  as  a  stated  supply. 
At  other  times  this  church  has  been  supplied  by  Rev.  Dr. 
Samuel  M.  Worcester,  Revs.  Messrs.  Packards  of  Shclburne, 
Rev.  William  Thayer,  and  Rev.  George  Lyman.  This 
church  has  had  five  pastors. 

Pastors.  1.*  Rev.  Benjamin  Rice  was  installed  pastor 
of  this  church,  Feb.  10,  1819,  and  Rev.  Edwards  Whipple  of 
Charlton  preached  on  the  occasion  ;  and  he  was  dismissed, 
Jan.  31,  1827.  Mr.  Rice  was  born  in  Sturbridge,  May  9, 
1784 ;  graduated  at  Brown  University  in  1808  ;  finished  his 
theological  course  at  Andover  in  1811 ;  preached  for  a  time 


140  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

in  Sturbridge,  and  as  missionary  in  Maine;  was  ordained  as 
pastor  in  Skaneateles,  N.  Y.,  July  7,  1813,  and  Rev. 
Hezekiah  Woodruff  preached  the  sermon ;  and  he  was 
dismissed  from  there  in  August,  1817;  after  his  dismission 
from  South  Deerfield,  he  was  installed  as  pastor  in  New 
Gloucester,  Me.,  Oct,  1,  1828,  and  Rev.  Thaddeus  Pomroy 
preached  the  sermon  ;  and  he  was  dismissed  from  there, 
Aug.  26,  1835 ;  was  installed  as  pastor  in  Buxton,  Me.,  Dec. 
9,  1835,  and  Rev.  Dr.  W.  T.  Dwight  preached  the  sermon ; 
and  he  was  dismissed  from  there,  Oct.  12,  1842 ;  preached 
as  a  stated  supply  in  Winchendon  from  November,  1843, 
till  January,  1846.  Mr.  Rice's  first  wife  was  Miss  Harriet 
Barrett  of  Sharon,  Ct.  ;  his  second.  Miss  Almira  Whipple  of 
Charlton ;  and  his  third.  Miss  Lucy  Whitney  of  Win- 
chendon, who  survives  him,  and  by  whom  he  had  his  only 
children,  three  in  number,  who  are  living.  Mr.  Rice  died 
in  Winchendon,  July  12,  1847,  aged  63.  An  obituary  of 
him  was  published  in  the  Boston  Recorder  soon  after  his 
death.  Rev.  Lewis  Sabin  of  Templeton  preached  his 
funeral  sermon,  from  which  the  following  is  an  extract : — 
"  The  ministry  which  he  thus  ended  was  one  of  more  than 
ordinary  usefulness.  About  one  hundred  and  thirty  were 
added  to  the  churches  under  his  pastoral  charge,  and  more 
than  this  number  have  been  hopefully  converted  under  his 
preaching.  These  results  must  be  regarded  as  signal  and 
Extraordinary  seals  of  his  ministry,  when  viewed  in  con- 
nexion with  the  limited  size  of  the  congregations  where 
most  of  his  labors  were  performed.  *  *  *  His  natural  tem- 
perament was  mild.  *  *  *  By  the  grace  of  God  he  had 
great  command  over  his  feelings.  *  *  *  He  was  careful  not 
to  speak  ill  of  others.  Enemies  he  felt  that  he  always  had  ; 
but  he  appeared  to  love  them ;  he  prayed  for  them  ;  he 
showed  no  disposition  to  retaliate.  His  views  of  truth  were 
highly  evangelical.  He  loved  the  great  doctrines  of  grace  ; 
and  he  everywhere  held  forth  these  doctrines  of  the  Bible — 
the  entire  depravity  of  the  human  heart  since  the  fall — the 


OF     DEERFIELD. 


141 


purposes  of  God — election  in  Christ — regeneration  by  the 
Holy  Spirit — and  justification  by  faith  through  the  atone- 
ment of  a  Divine  Redeemer.  Hence  the  converts  under  his 
ministry  became  staid  and  steadfast  christians,  as  he  had  the 
pleasure  of  learning  after  years  of  trial  had  put  their  princi- 
ples to  the  test.  They  were  indoctrinated.  Rooted  and 
grounded  in  those  truths,  which  give  Christ  the  throne,  they 
were  able  to  stand.  Numbers  of  them  have  been  highly 
useful  in  the  church,  and  some  of  them  in  the  gospel  minis- 
try. He  was  remarkable  for  his  high  regard  for  the  Bible. 
A  minister  once  said  to  one  of  his  parishioners,  '  Your  min- 
ister is  a  bible  man.''  He  bowed  submissively  to  the  very 
word  of  scripture.  He  labored  most  of  all  to  bring  his 
people  to  read  the  scriptures.  In  each  of  the  places  where 
he  held  the  pastoral  charge,  he  held  a  Aveekly  bible  class, 
which  in  two  of  the  places  was  very  large  and  eminently 
blessed.  In  Deerfield  nearly  every  member  of  his  flour- 
ishing bible  class  was  hopefully  converted  before  his  dismis- 
sal. He  admired  the  Westminster  Catechism  as  an  excellent 
compend  of  scripture  truth,  and  taught  it  regularly  to  his 
children  on  Sabbath  eve.  He  was  faithful  in  his  discipline 
of  the  church,  and  in  two  instances  it  was  difficult  cases  of 
discipline  that  caused  his  dismission.  No  man  was  more 
conscientious  in  everything  than  he  was.  He  wished  to 
make  the  word  of  God  his  guide  in  ministerial  and  christian 
duty  ;  in  business  transactions ;  in  relative  duties ;  and  in 
the  care  of  his  property.  He  felt  a  deep  interest  in  the 
missionary  and  benevolent  enterprises  of  the  day,  and  con- 
tributed systematically  a  certain  proportion  of  his  income 
for  their  promotion.  He  believed  in  a  perpetuity  of  the 
Abrahamic  covenant,  and  deeply  felt  the  obligation  and 
importance  of  infant  baptism.  He  devoted  his  own  children 
to  God  in  baptism.  He  felt  strong  desires  for  their  conver- 
sion. He  had  strong  confidence  in  the  covenant,  but  he 
often  feared  the  covenant  might  be  broken  through  his 
unfaithfulness  to  them,  and  that  they,  though  children  of 


142  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

the  kingdom,  might  be  cast  out.  His  course  is  now  finished. 
His  setting  smi  was  overcast  with  clouds.  His  mind  was 
thought  to  be  somewhat  impaired  during  the  last  two  years 
of  his  life,  owing  to  the  state  of  his  health;  but  for  the  last 
few  months  both  mind  and  body  were  unstrung.  In  his 
last  lucid  season,  being  asked  if  he  felt  prepared  for  death, 
he  ansM'"ered,  'Yes,  I  have  a  hope,  which  is  an  anchor  to  my 
soul.'  "  On  his  tombstone  is  inscribed  the  following : — "For 
thirty-six  years  he  toiled,  a  faithful  soldier  in  the  cause  of 
Christ,  and  has  now  gone  to  his  reward  in  that  world,  '  where 
the  wicked  cease  from  troubling,  and  the  weary  are  at  rest.'  " 
His  ministry  in  South  Deerfield  was  about  eight  years. 

2.  Rev.  Tertius  S.  Clarke  was  ordained  as  pastor  in 
South  Deerfield,  Oct.  3,  1827,  and  Rev.  Dorus  Clark,  his 
brother,  preached  the  sermon ;  and  he  was  dismissed  from 
there,  April  1,  1833.  Mr.  Clarke  was  born  in  Westhampton, 
Dec.  17,  1799,  and  lived  there  mostly  till  sixteen  years  of 
age  ;  graduated  at  Yale  in  1824 ;  studied  theology  at  Au- 
burn ;  after  his  dismission  from  South  Deerfield,  was  in- 
stalled pastor  in  Haddam,  Ct.,  May  10,  1835,  and  Rev.  Dr. 
Yan  Arsdale  preached  the  sermon  ;  and  he  was  dismissed 
from  there  in  April,  1837 ;  was  installed  pastor  in  Stock- 
bridge,  June  16,  1837,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Hawes  of  Hartford,  Ct., 
preached  the  sermon ;  and  he  was  dismissed  from  there, 
April  20,  1850  ;  was  installed  pastor  in  Penn  Yan,  N.  Y., 
Sept.  16,  1850,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Todd  preached  the  sermon  ; 
and  he  was  dismissed  from  there  near  the  beginning  of  1853, 
and  was  installed  pastor  in  Franklin,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  2,  1853, 
and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Samuel  J.  White.  Mr.  Clarke's 
ministry  in  South  Deerfield  was  about  five  years  and  a  half. 

3.  Rev.  William  M.  Richards  was  ordained  pastor,  Nov. 
25,  1835,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Perkins  of  East  Amherst  preached 
the  sermon ;  and  he  was  dismissed,  Sept.  6,  1843.  Mr. 
Richards  was  born  in  Hartford,  Ct.,  July  11,  1805;  at  two 
and  a  half  years  of  age  he  removed  to  South  Deerfield  ;  in 
1809  he  removed  to  Gill,  where  he  lived  twelve  years,  and 


OF     DEERFIELD.  143 

then  lived  in  South  Deerfield  ;  he  graduated  at  Williams  in 
1832 ;  studied  theology  at  Auburn  ;  after  his  dismission  from 
South  Deerfield,  preached  at  Norwich,  N.  Y.,  in  1844  and 
1845;  in  1846  preached  in  Oxford,  N.  Y.  ;  from  1847  to 
1850,  he  preached  in  Hamilton,  N.  Y.  ;  then  preached  two 
years  in  Morrisville,  N.  Y.  ;  and  in  October,  1852,  removed 
to  Waukegan.  111.,  where  he  still  preaches  as  a  stated  supply. 
His  ministry  in  South  Deerfield  was  nearly  eight  years. 

Between  the  pastorates  of  Mr.  Richards  and  his  successor, 
among  the  preachers  who  supplied,  were  Rev.  Gideon  Dana 
and  Rev.  William  Thayer,  both  of  whom  buried  their  wives 
while  supplying  there. 

4.  Rev.  Abraham  Jackson  was  installed  as  pastor,  Oct, 
22,  1845,  and  Professor  Aaron  Warner  of  Amherst  College 
preached  the  sermon  ;  and  he  was  dismissed  from  there, 
June  7,  1847.  Mr.  Jackson  was  born  in  Carver,  July  28, 
1793 ;  pursued  classical  and  theological  studies  at  Barigor, 
but  never  graduated  at  any  college  ;  ordained  as  pastor  in 
Machias,  Me.,  Oct.  3,  1821,  and  Rev.  John  Smith,  Professor 
in  Bangor  Seminary,  preached  the  sermon ;  was  dismissed 
from  there  in  the  spring  of  1834 ;  installed  pastor  in  Kings- 
ton, Nov,  12,  1834,  and  Rev.  Thomas  Boutelle  preached  the 
sermon  ;  installed  pastor  in  Walpole,  N.  H.,  Jan,  10,  1838, 
and  Rev.  Mr.  Merrill  of  Acworth,  N.  H.,  preached  the  sermon; 
remained  pastor  in  Walpole  seven  years ;  after  his  dismission 
from  South  Deerfield,  he  supplied  a  year  or  two  at  East  Ma- 
chias, Me. ;  and  has  lived  since  then  in  Walpole,  N.  H.,  and 
supplied  the  church  in  Q,uechee,  Vt.,  till  September,  1852. 
Not  far  from  this  last  named  period,  he  became  a  Unitarian 
in  doctrine,  according  to  his  own  statement,  and  has  been  of 
late  supplying  the  Unitarian  church  in  Windsor,  Vt.,  though 
he  resides  in  Walpole,  N.  H.  His  ministry  in  South  Deer- 
field was  about  one  year  and  a  half. 

Between  the  pastorates  of  Mr.  Jackson  and  his  successor, 
the  church  was  supplied  with  preaching  a  part  of  the  time 
by  Mr.  Lucius  M.  Boltwood,  and  Rev.  George  Lyman. 


144  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

5.  Rev.  Moses  K.  Cross  was  installed  pastor,  Sept.  4, 
1850,  and  the  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Dr.  H.  B. 
Smith,  then  of  Amherst  College.  Mr.  Cross  was  born  in 
Danvers,  Sept.  24,  1812;  graduated  at  Amherst  in  1838; 
studied  theology  at  Andover ;  was  ordained  at  Palmer,  as 
pastor,  Feb.  2,  1842,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  M.  P. 
Braman ;  and  he  was  dismissed  from  there,  March  7,  1849. 
Mr.  Cross  is  still  pastor  at  South  Deerfield,  in  the  fourth  year 
of  his  ministry  there. 

Of  the  jive  pastors  of  this  church,  four  have  been  dis- 
missed ;  four  are  now  living  ;  one  became  a  Unitarian  ;  and 
the  average  length  of  their  pastorates  in  South  Deerfield  is 
about  five  and  a  half  years. 

The  second  church  in  South  Deerfield,  called  the 
Monument  Church,  was  organized  Jan.  25,  1848,  with  seven 
members.  Its  first  and  present  Meeting-house  was  built  in 
1848.  Revivals  have  been  enjoyed  in  1850  and  1851 ;  as 
the  fruits  of  the  first,  twelve  were  added  to  the  church  ;  the 
second  was  confined  to  laborers  in  the  shops  chiefly,  who 
were  not  permanent  residents  in  the  place.  The  amount  of 
contributions  to  the  cause  of  christian  benevolence  in  1853, 
was  $239  44.  The  number  in  the  Sabbath  School  in  1852, 
was  100.     In  1853  the  church  numbered  77. 

Previous  to  the  settlement  of  its  first  pastor,  this  church 
was  supplied  by  Rev.  Josiah  Tyler,  now  a  missionary  in 
South  Africa.  In  the  six  years  since  the  organization  of 
this  church,  it  has  had  a  settled  pastor  about  five  years. 
This  church  has  had  but  one  pastor. 

Pastor.  Rev.  David  A.  Strong  was  ordained  pastor, 
March  21,  1849,  and  Rev.  Charles  Bentley  preached  the  ser- 
mon. Mr.  Strong  was  born  in  Haddam,  Ct.,  May  6,  1820; 
graduated  at  Williams  in  1845 ;  studied  theology  at  East 
Windsor  Hill ;  and  is  still  pastor  in  South  Deerfield,  in  the 
fifth  year  of  his  ministry  there. 


OF     DEERFIELD.  145 


CONGREGATIONAL     PREACHERS    WHO    ORIGINATED    FROM 
DEERFIELD. 

1,  Rev.  Hiram  P.  Arms  was  bom  in  Windsor,  Ct.,  in 
1799,  and  at  an  early  age  removed  to  Deerfield,  where  his  an- 
cestors, for  five  generations,  had  lived,  and  where  he  lived 
for  some  years.  He  graduated  at  Yale  in  1824  ;  studied 
theology  at  New  Haven  ;  was  licensed  in  1827 ;  engaged  in 
teaching  for  three  years;  ordained  as  pastor  in  Hebron,  Ct., 
June  30,  1830,  and  Rev.  Joel  H.  Lindsley,  D.  D.,  preached 
the  sermon ;  installed  at  Wolcottville,  Ct.,  Feb.  6,  1833,  and 
Rev.  Royal  E.  Tyler  preached  the  sermon  ;  remained  four 
years  at  Wolcotville  ;  installed  as  pastor  of  the  first  church 
in  Norwich,  Ct.,  Aug.  4,  1836,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Hickok,  then  of 
Litchfield,  Ct.,  preached  the  sermon  ;  in  this  church  a  revival 
was  enjoyed  in  1846,  by  which  about  one  hundred  were 
added  to  their  number,  Mr.  Arms  is  still  pastor  at  Nor- 
wich, Ct. 

2.  Rev.  Selah  R.  Arms  was  born  in  Deerfield,  Feb.  21, 
1789,  where  he  lived  seven  years,  and  then  removed  to  Wil- 
mington, Yt.  He  graduated  at  Williams  in  1818  ;  studied 
theology  at  Andover  ;  supplied  for  three  years  in  Cavendish, 
Grafton,  and  Windham, Vt.  ;  settled  as  pastor  of  the  churches 
in  Grafton  and  Windham,  Yt.,  Jan.  5,  1825,  and  Rev.  Dr. 
Charles  Walker  preached  the  sermon  ;  in  1832,  dismissed 
from  the  church  in  Grafton ',  in  1835,  dismissed  from  the 
church  in  Windham ;  supplied  in  Livingstonville,  N.  Y. ;  again 
became  pastor  of  the  church  in  Windham, Yt.,  and  continued 
there  from  1836  till  1849  ;  since  which  time  he  has  resided 
chiefly  in  Springfield, Yt.,  engaged  in  agriculture,  and  preach- 
ing occasionally. 

3.*  Rev.  Joel  Bordivell  was  born  in  Deerfield,  Oct.  24, 
1732  ;  admitted  to  the  church  in  that  place,  Aug.  26,  1756  ; 
graduated  at  Yale  in  1756  ;  studied  theology  with  Professor 
Daggett  of  Yale  College  ;  ordained  as  pastor  in  Kent,  Ct., 
Oct.  28,  1758,  and  continued  in  the  pastoral  office  in  that 
19 


146  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

place  a  little  over  fifty-three  years,  and  until  his  death. 
He  married  a  sister  of  Rev,  Rufus  Wells  of  Whately,  and 
two  of  his  children  are  still  living  in  Kent,  Ct.  An  intelli- 
gent correspondent  writes  from  that  place  concerning  Mr. 
Bordwell :  "  He  was  a  faithful  and  beloved  pastor ;  distin- 
guished as  a  scholar,  and  particularly  as  a  linguist ;  and  pre- 
pared many  young  men  for  college,  and  frequently  had 
theological  students  in  his  family.  The  aged  members  of 
his  church  speak  of  him  with  great  affection,  and  considered 
Iiim  fully  equal  in  talents  and  learning  to  any  minister  then 
living  in  the  county.  As  nearly  as  I  can  ascertain  from  the 
church  records,  there  were  two  hundred  and  seventy-five 
added  during  his  ministry."  The  Rev.  Maltby  Gelston,  his 
son-in-law,  of  Sherman,  Ct.,  says  of  him  :  "  In  his  ministry 
he  was  blessed  with  revivals  of  religion  that  greatly  elevated 
the  church  and  increased  the  congregation.  He  was  associ- 
ated with  a  class  of  ministers  who  were  revival  men,  who 
were  also  harmonious  in  sentiment  and  in  efforts  to  do  good. 
In  all  their  aspirations  and  preaching  they  loved  to  walk  in 
the  path  of  Edwards  and  Bellamy.  As  a  man,  he  was  open- 
hearted,  and,  by  his  frankness,  kindness,  and  plain  dealing, 
he  gained  an  ascendency  over  his  people,  and  improved  it 
for  much  good.  As  a  preacher,  he  was  of  a  ready  mind. 
On  an  unexpected  emergency  he  would  rise  before  an  assem- 
bly and  break  directly  into  his  subject,  and  proceed  with 
light,  affection,  and  force,  and  enlist  the  feelings  and  at- 
tention of  the  assembly."  He  died  in  Kent,  Ct.,  Dec.  6, 
1811,  aged  79. 

4.*  Mr.  Zenas  Clapp  was  born  in  Deerfield,  Jan.  30, 
1796  ;  studied  at  Williams  College,  but  graduated  at  Dart- 
mouth in  1821  ;  studied  theology  at  Auburn  ;  taught  acade- 
mies in  Ashfield,  Amherst,  Deerfield,  Chittenango,  N.  Y., 
and  Ovid,  N.  Y.  ;  was  a  tutor  in  Amherst  College  from  1823 
to  1824 ;  was  on  a  farm  in  Salina,  N,  Y.,  for  a  short  time  ; 
after  being  licensed,  preached  only  a  few  times,  and  was 
compelled,  from  ill-health,  to  relinquish  preaching  and  teach- 


OF     DEERFIELD.  147 

ing  ;  in  1836  removed  to  the  milder  climate  of  St.  Augustine, 
Florida,  and  there  died  of  pulmonary  complaints,  Jan.  29, 
1837,  and  lacked  one  day  of  being  41  years  old.  He  was  a 
beneficiary  of  the  Hampshire  Education  Society,  and  in  his 
will  bequeathed  the  most  of  his  property  to  this  Society. 
But,  through  mismanagement,  it  is  believed  that  the  Society 
has  realized  but  little  from  his  bequest.  He  is  supposed  to 
have  accumulated  considerable  property.  In  1822  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Pamela  Clary,  who  survived  him,  married  again, 
and  has  recently  deceased.  Mr.  Clapp  was  unable  to  endure 
public  speaking,  and  was  never  ordained,  but  was  chiefly 
employed  in  teaching. 

5.  Mr.  Oriti  Cooley  was  born  in  South  Deerfield,  Aug. 
18,  1801  ;  spent  two  years  at  Amherst  College,  and  gradu- 
ated at  Union  in  1827  ;  studied  theology  at  New  Haven  ; 
was  licensed  by  the  Eastern  Association  of  New  Haven 
County,  Ct.  ;  preached  a  year  in  Tolland  in  1832-3  ;  after 
two  years'  trial  of  the  employment,  relinquished  preaching, 
on  account  of  ill-health  ;  and  since  then  has  been  en- 
gaged in  teaching,  living  in  Carlinville,  111.,  till  1850,  since 
which  time  he  has  lived  in  Chesterfield,  111.  Mr.  Cooley 
was  never  ordained. 

6.  Rev.  Jolm  Hawks,  Jr.,  was  born  in  Deerfield,  Jan.  22, 
1823  ;  graduated  at  Amherst  in  1847  ;  completed  the  course 
of  theological  study  at  the  Union  Theological  Seminary, 
New  York,  in  1850  ;  began  to  preach  in  Montezuma  and 
Newport,  Yermilion  County,  la.,  in  1850,  as  a  Home  Mis- 
sionary, and  still  continues  to  preach  there,  residing  in  Mon- 
tezuma. Mr.  Hawks  was  ordained  as  an  Evangelist  at 
Bainbridge,  la.,  Aug.  28,  1851,  and  Rev.  S.  K.  Sneed 
preached  the  sermon  on  the  occasion. 

7.*  Rev.  Ehenezer  Hindsdale  was  born  in  Deerfield,  in 
1706  ;  graduated  at  Harvard  in  1727.  A  credible  corres- 
pondent in  Deerfield  says  of  him  :  "  He  administered  bap- 
tism in  two  instances  in  Deerfield  in  1736.  He  became 
intemperate,  and  made  public  confession  thereof  in  1750. 


148  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

Previously  he  had  relinquished  the  gown  for  the  sword,  and 
was  dubbed  Colonel.  He  married  Abigail,  daughter  by  his 
second  wife  of  the  Rev.  John  Williams  of  Deerfield."  It  ap- 
pears that  he  was  ordained  a  minister,  but  it  is  not  known 
that  he  was  ever  pastor  of  a  church,  nor  where  he  preached 
during  the  short  period  of  his  ministry.  For  a  considerable 
time  previous  to  his  death  he  lived  in  what  is  now  Hinsdale, 
N.  H,,  and  was  promoted  to  many  town  offices,  and  seems 
to  have  been  an  active  and  influential  citizen  of  the  place. 
The  following  epitaph  is  on  his  tombstone  in  Hinsdale, 
N.  H.  :  ''  Underneath  reposited  is  the  body  of  Colonel  Ebe- 
nezer  Hindsdale,  who,  for  his  supernatural  endowments,  ex- 
tensive learning  and  usefulness,  not  only  in  private  life  but 
in  various  important  public  offices  he  sustained,  was  far 
known  and  admired.  After  a  long  illness  he  died,  Jan.  6, 
1763,  in  the  57th  year  of  his  age." 

8.  Rev.  Edward  Hitchcock,  D.  D.,  LL.D.,  was  born 
in  Deerfield,  and  having  been  settled  as  a  pastor  in  Conway, 
a  notice  of  him  is  given  in  the  account  of  the  pastors  in 
Conway. 

9.  Rev.  Asa  Johnson  was  born  in  South  Deerfield,  Feb. 
13,  1802  ;  studied  two  years  at  Amherst  College,  and  gradu- 
ated at  Union  in  1827  ;  studied  theology  at  Auburn  ;  or- 
dained as  an  Evangelist  at  Henrietta,  N.  Y.,  Jan.  2,  1830, 
and  Rev.  Dr.  Perrine,  Professor  in  Auburn  Seminary,  preached 
the  sermon  ;  preached  one  year  in  Richmond,  N.  Y.  ;  in- 
stalled pastor  in  Nunda,  N.  Y,,  February,  1833,  and  Rev. 
Moses  Hunter  preached  the  sermon ;  dismissed  from  there 
in  September,  1837  ;  preached  one  year  in  Goshen,  la.  ; 
has  preached  eleven  years  in  Peru,  Miami  County,  la.,  and 
still  lives  in  Peru,  la. 

10.  Rev.  Alonzo  Sanderson  was  born  in  Bernardston,  Jan. 
24,  1808,  and  at  about  one  year  of  age  removed  to  South 
Deerfield,  where  he  lived  till  manhood.  Mr.  Sanderson 
graduated  at  Amherst  in  1834  ;  finished  the  theological 
course  at  Andover  in   1837  ;  preached  a  year  as  a  Home 


or     DEERFIELD.  149 

Missionary  in  Canada  ;  ordained  as  pastor  in  Ludlow,  in 
January,  1839,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Osgood  preached  his  ordination 
sermon  ;  dismissed  from  Ludlow  in  May,  1845  ;  installed  in 
Tolland,  July  12,  1843,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Dwight,  then  of  Win- 
sted,  Ct.,  preached  the  sermon  ;  dismissed  from  Tolland  in 
May,  1852  ;  in  June,  1852,  began  to  preach  in  Wellington, 
Ohio,  where  he  was  installed  as  pastor,  March  1,  1854. 
Mr.  Sanderson  was  licensed  by  Franklin  Association,  Aug. 
9,  1837. 

11.*  Rev.  Rnfus  Wells  was  born  in  Deerfield,  and  having 
been  settled  as  a  pastor  in  Whately,  an  account  of  him  is 
given  in  the  sketches  of  the  Whately  pastors. 

12.*  Rev.  Eleazer  Williams^  the  eldest  son  of  Rev.  John 
Williams  of  Deerfield,  was  born  in  that  town,  July  1,  1688 ; 
being  absent  at  the  time  of  the  destruction  of  Deerfield  and 
the  captivity  of  his  father's  family,  he  escaped  the  horrors  of 
that  scene  ;  he  graduated  at  Harvard  in  1708  ;  was  ordained 
as  pastor  in  Mansfield,  Ct.,  October,  1710,  where  he  remained 
in  the  pastoral  office  about  thirty-two  years,  till  his  death  in 
that  place.  He  had  two  brothers,  who  were  ministers,  two 
sisters  who  married  ministers,  and  three  daughters  who  mar- 
ried ministers.  His  daughter  Eunice  married  Rev.  John 
Storrs,  his  daughter  Sarah  married  Rev.  Hobart  Estabrook, 
and  his  daughter  Mary  married  Rev.  Dr.  Richard  Salter. 
The  following  epitaph  is  on  Mr.  Williams'  gravestone  : 
"  Here  lies  the  body  of  Rev.  Eleazer  Williams,  pastor  of  the 
church  in  Mansfield,  descended  from  venerable  ancestors, 
but  more  nobly  born  from  above ;  and  with  faithfulness, 
prudence,  zeal,  and  courage,  improved  the  gifts  and  graces 
his  divine  Lord  had  entrusted  him  with,  in  the  work  of  the 
ministry  here  being  found  with  his  loins  girt,  and  looking 
for  the  mercy  of  the  Lord  Jesus  to  eternal  life.  At  his  Mas- 
ter's call  he  fell  quietly  asleep  in  Jesus,  Sept.  21,  1742,  in 
the  55th  year  of  his  age,  and  the  32d  year  of  his  pastoral 
work.  '  Them  that  sleep  in  Jesus,  God  will  bring  with 
him.'  " 


150  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

13.*  Rev.  Stephen  Williams,  D.  D.,  was  a  son  of  Rev. 
John  Williams  of  Deerfield,  and  was  born  in  that  town,  May 
14,  1693,  and  was  taken  a  captive  with  his  father  at  the 
destruction  of  Deerfield  in  1704,  carried  to  Canada  by  the 
Indians,  and  returned  to  Boston,  Nov.  21,  1705.  He  wrote 
a  full  and  interesting  account  of  his  captivity,  which  is  pub- 
lished in  the  Appendix  of  the  "  Redeemed  Captive."  He 
graduated  at  Harvard  in  1713  ;  received  his  Doctorate  from 
Dartmouth  in  1773  ;  ordained  as  pastor  in  Springfield,  (now 
Longmeadow,)  Oct,  16,  1716,  and  continued  pastor  of  the 
church  about  sixty-two  years,  till  his  death.  The  American 
(Quarterly  Register,  vol.  10,  p.  273,  says  of  him  ;  "  In  1745 
he  went  to  Louisburg  as  a  chaplain  under  Pepperell,  and,  in 
1755,  he  went  to  Lake  Champlain,  in  the  same  capacity, 
under  Sir  William  Johnson,  and,  in  1756,  under  Winslow. 
He  was  much  honored  by  the  officers  and  soldiers.  By  his 
first  wife,  Abigail  Davenport,  daughter  of  John  Davenport 
of  Stamford,  Ct.,  he  had  seven  children,  three  of  whom  were 
ministers  ;  all  were  present  at  his  funeral.  Probably  he  was 
the  principal  means  of  sending  a  missionary  to  the  Housa- 
tonic  Indians,  for,  on  the  9th  of  September,  1734,  he  went 
to  New  Haven  and  engaged  John  Sergeant  for  that  purpose." 
He  gave  Mr.  Sergeant  the  charge  when  ordained  as  a  mis- 
sionary in  Deerfield  in  1735.  Mr.  Williams  had  two  brothers 
who  were  ministers,  and  two  sisters  who  married  ministers, 
and  three  sons  who  were  ministers,  viz.,  Stephen,  Jr.,  who 
was  settled  at  Woodstock,  Ct.  ;  Warham,  who  was  settled  at 
Northford,  Ct.  ;  and  Nathan,  who  was  settled  at  Tolland,  Ct. 
The  following  is  the  epitaph  on  his  tombstone  at  Long- 
meadow  :  "  In  memory  of  Rev.  Stephen  Williams,  D.  D., 
who  was  a  prudent  and  laborious  minister,  a  sound  and 
evangelical  preacher,  a  pious  and  exemplary  christian,  a 
sincere  and  faithful  friend,  a  tender  and  affectionate  father 
and  consort,  and  a  real  and  disinterested  lover  of  mankind. 
Departed    this  life  with   humble   and    cheerful    hope    of  a 


OF     DEERFIELD.  151 

better,  June  10,  1782,  in  the  90th  year  of  his  age,  and  66th 
of  his  ministry." 

"  Softly  with  fainting-  head  he  lay 
Upon  his  Maker's  breast ; 
His  Maker  kissed  his  soul  away, 
And  laid  his  flesh  to  rest." 

Just  before  his  death  he  called  his  family  together  and 
thus  addressed  them  :  "  It  is  a  great  thing  to  die.  I  am 
afraid  of  death.  I  am  afraid  of  the  pangs  and  throes  of 
death,  for  death  is  the  wages  of  sin  ;  but  I  am  not  afraid  to 
he  dead,  for  I  trust,  that,  through  the  merits  and  grace  of  my 
dear  Redeemer  and  Advocate,  Jesus  Christ,  the  sting  of 
death,  which  is  sin,  is  taken  away."  An  engraving  of  Rev. 
Mr.  Williams  is  inserted  in  the  edition  of  the  "  Redeemed 
Captive,"  published  by  Doctor  Stephen  Williams  in  1853. 

14.*  Rev.  Warham  Williams,  son  of  Rev.  John  Williams 
of  Deerfield,  was  born  in  that  town,  Sept.  16,  1699.  The 
following  obituary  notice  of  him  was  published  in  the  Boston 
Gazette,  of  August  6,  1751 :  "  Waltham,  June  22,  1751. 
This  evening  died  here  the  Rev.  Warham  Williams,  the 
faithful  and  beloved  pastor  of  the  church  in  this  town.  He 
was  son  of  the  venerable  Mr.  John  Williams.  When  be- 
tween four  and  five  years  of  age,  he  was  taken,  with  the 
rest  of  the  family,  by  the  Indian  enemy,  Feb.  29,  1703-4, 
and  carried  to  Canada.  Great  kindness  was  shown  him  by 
the  Indians,  who  sometimes  carried  him  in  their  arms,  and 
sometimes  drew  him  on  sleds  over  the  snow  and  ice.  Provi- 
dence designed  his  preservation,  that  he  might  in  time  to 
come  be  an  active  and  useful  instrument  in  advancing  the 
kingdom  and  interest  of  Christ  among  us.  He  was  in  cap- 
tivity near  upon  three  years,  and  then  returned  to  his  native 
country,  having  entirely  lost  the  English  language,  and  could 
speak  nothing  but  French.  However,  he  soon  recovered 
his  mother  tongue,  was  put  to  school  and  made  great  pro- 
ficiency in  the  Latin.     At  the  age  of  16  he  was  admitted 


152 


CHURCHES      AND     MINISTERS 


into  Harvard  College,  where  he  was  very  studious,  and  im- 
proved much  in  all  kinds  of  useful  learning,  took  his  degree 
of  Bachelor  of  Arts  in  1719,  and  Master  of  Arts  in  1722. 
June  11,  1723,  he  was  ordained  to  the  pastoral  care  of  his 
flock,  and  has  ever  since,  except  a  few  of  the  last  months, 
carried  on  the  whole  work  of  the  ministry,  discharging  his 
office  with  much  success.  The  advantages  of  a  pious  edu- 
cation made  an  early,  deep,  and  lasting  impression  upon  him. 
He  was  eminently  endowed  with  ministerial  gifts  and  graces  ; 
copious  and  fluent  in  prayer,  with  expressions  well  adapted 
to  all  occasions  and  circumstances  ;  methodical,  solid  and 
judicious.  In  his  preaching,  his  subject  was  always  [rela- 
tive] to  the  state  of  his  own  people,  or  the  conduct  of  Divine 
Providence  towards  our  nation  and  land.  His  voice  was 
indeed  small,  yet  there  was  always  an  agreeable  warmth  and 
fervency  discovered  in  the  delivery  ;  a  spirit  of  piety  towards 
God  and  compassion  to  the  souls  of  men  breathed  in  all  his 
public  performances.  He  was  zealous  in  promoting  the  most 
substantial  things  in  religion,  and  in  bearing  testimony 
against  everything  vicious  and  immoral,  and  especially 
among  his  own  charge  ;  very  prudent  in  managing  religious 
affairs,  whereby  peace  and  good  will  were  remarkably  pre- 
served in  the  town ;  and  what  crowns  all,  he  adorned  his 
profession  as  a  christian,  and  his  character  as  a  minister,  by 
an  exemplary,  holy  conversation.  Those  who  knew  him 
best  valued  him  most.  He  bore  his  lingering  sickness  with 
great  patience  and  full  resignation,  having  a  comfortable 
hope  of  his  interest  in  the  special  love  and  favor  of  God 
through  Jesus  Christ.  When  a  friend  said  to  him,  '  I  hope 
God  will  yet  spare  you  for  a  blessing  to  your  family  and  to 
your  flock,'  he  replied,  '  Were  it  put  to  me  to  choose  whether 
to  live  or  die,  I  would  cheerfully  refer  it  back  again  to  God, 
and  say,  Lord,  not  as  I  will,  but  as  thou  wilt.'  He  has  left 
a  sorrowful  widow  and  five  children." 

Mr.  Williams  had  two  brothers  and  one  son,  who  were 
ministers.     He  had  four  daughters,  who  were  married  to  the 


OF    DEERFIELD.  153 

following  ministers,  viz.,  Revs.  Samuel  Woodward,  Job 
Gushing,  D.  D.,  Jacob  Cashing,  Joseph  Parsons,  and  Eliphalet 
Williams — one  daughter  having  been  married  twice. 

Mr.  Williams  was  struck  with  the  palsy  while  in  the  pulpit, 
Feb.  IS,  and  died  in  Waltham,  June  22,  1751,  in  the  62d 
year  of  his  age.  The  following  is  a  part  of  the  inscription 
on  his  gravestone:  "Here  lie  the  remains  of  the  excellent, 
pious,  and  learned  Divine,  the  late  Rev.  Warham  Williams, 
the  first  and  beloved  pastor  in  the  church  at  Waltham.  He 
was  indeed  a  burning  and  shining  light,  of  superior  natural 
powers  and  acquired  abilities,  diligent  in  study,  apt  to  teach, 
fervent  in  prayer,  accurate  and  instructive  in  preaching,  pru- 
dent and  faithful  in  discipline,  tender  and  skilful  in  comfort- 
ing, grave  in  his  deportment,  agreeable  and  edifying  in  con- 
versation, meek  towards  all  men,  constant  and  candid  in 
friendship,  endearing  in  every  relation,  resigned  in  adversity, 
a  bright  example  in  behavior  and  doctrine,  universally  es- 
teemed, and  died  greatly  lamented." 

15.*  Rev.  Edward  Wright  was  born  in  Deerfield,  May  1, 
1815,  and  died  in  West  Haven,  Ct.,  Oct.  23,  1852,  aged  37. 
On  the  occasion  of  his  death  a  sermon  was  preached  in  his 
native  place  by  Rev.  Alfred  E.  Ives,  which  was  published  ; 
and  from  the  biographical  sketch  appended  to  the  sermon  the 
following  is  an  extract :  "At  the  age  of  eight  years,  his 
father  died,  and  his  early  training  devolved  on  a  devoted 
mother,  who  still  survives  him.  He  continued  at  home 
spending  his  time  in  the  school  and  on  the  farm,  till  about 
the  age  of  seventeen  years,  when  he  was  apprenticed  to  Capt. 
Thomas  White  of  Ashfield,  Mass.,  to  be  taught  the  black- 
smiths' trade.  There  he  came  under  the  pastoral  instruction 
of  Rev.  Mason  Grovesnor,  and  in  the  subsequent  year  was 
a  hopeful  subject  of  renewing  grace.  Though  he  had  before 
been  a  moral  youth,  the  change  in  him  was  marked ;  and  the 
strong  characteristics  of  promptness  and  boldness  in  duty 
were  immediately  evident.  At  the  time  of  his  conversion^ 
Capt.  White  was  absent  from  home  ;  and,  in  consequence,  the 
20 


154  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

wonted  family  devotions  were  omitted.  Young  Wright  felt 
that  the  circumstances  devolved  a  duty  on  him ;  and  imme- 
diately conferred  with  the  members  of  the  family,  and  ob- 
taining their  permission,  although  himself  the  youngest  of 
his  fellow  apprentices,  who  by  no  means  sympathized  with 
him  in  his  religious  feelings,  he  assumed  the  responsibility 
of  leading  their  devotions  at  the  family  altar  till  the  return 
of  Capt.  White.  Those  fellow  apprentices  and  himself  are 
the  '  three  mechanics '  referred  to  in  the  little  Sabbath 
School  book,  '  The  Mountain  Gleaner.' 

"  After  mature  deliberation  and  counsel,  he  devoted  him- 
self to  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry ;  and  purchasing  the 
remaining  time  of  his  apprenticeship  for  this  object,  at  the 
age  of  nineteen  years  he  commenced  studies  preparatory  for 
college,  at  the  Academy  in  Deerfield.  He  found  on  his  re- 
turn, that  measures  were  already  in  progress  towards  the  for- 
mation of  an  Orthodox  church  in  Deerfield.  There  had 
previously  been  in  the  village  only  the  church  for  some  time 
Unitarian,  at  which  he  and  his  relatives  had  attended  ;  and 
he  now  found  this  '  new  sect,'  or  newly  revived  old  sect, 
everywhere  spoken  against.  But  all  the  influences  exerted 
upon  him,  all  the  opposition  and  the  derision  to  which  he 
was  subjected,  could  not  move  him.  His  eyes  had  been 
opened.  Nothing  less  than  the  •  atoning  sacrifice  of  God 
manifest  in  the  flesh,  could  meet  his  deep  spiritual  wants. 
And  he  rejoiced,  rather,  that  he  was  accounted  worthy  to 
sufl'er  shame  for  the  name  of  Christ.  His  interest,  his  ener- 
gies, and  his  heart,  were  given  to  the  new  church,  which 
was  organized,  June  2,  1835.  He  was  active  at  this  time  in 
sustaining  frequent  meetings  for  christian  conference  and 
prayer,  and  the  influence  he  exerted  was  decided  and  happy. 
If  any  were  desponding,  he  was  always  hopeful.  If  any 
were  fearful,  he  was  bold. 

"In  the  year  1836,  he  entered  Yale  College,  and  was 
graduated  with  a  respectable  standing  as  a  scholar  in  1840. 
He  pursued  his  professional  studies  in  the  Theological  de- 


OF     DEERFIELD.  155 

partment  of  the  same  Institution.  During  his  course  of  edu- 
cation, as  testified  by  his  teachers,  he  invariably  manifested  a 
sweet  and  amiable  temper  ;  while  his  kind,  cheerful  and 
happy  disposition,  united  with  his  consistent  and  active  piety, 
gave  him  an  excellent  and  extensive  christian  influence. 

"  During  his  last  year  in  the  Seminary,  he  was  invited  to 
preach  in  West  Haven,  in  the  pulpit  of  the  venerable  Rev. 
Stephen  W.  Stebbins,  then  infirm.  The  divine  blessing 
attended  his  labors,  and  more  than  fifty,  the  fruit  of  the  re- 
vival, were  added  to  the  church.  He  was  soon  afterwards 
invited  to  settle  as  colleague  pastor  with  Mr.  Stebbins, — a 
befitting  colleague  and  successor  of  one,  whose  name  in  the 
churches  is  still  as  ointment  poured  forth.  He  accepted  the 
invitation,  and  was  ordained,  June  28,  1843.  The  same 
year  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Susan  Arms. 

"  In  this  field  of  labor  he  continued  till  death,  cheered 
with  the  evident  approbation  of  God,  and  with  repeated 
manifestations  of  the  special  presence  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 
The  church,  very  small  at  the  commencement  of  his  labors, 
has  been  increased  in  numbers  and  strength.  Dependent 
before  on  missionary  aid  for  the  support  of  its  pastor,  since 
the  time  of  his  settlement  and  through  his  influence  the  ec- 
clesiastical society  has  sustained  itself  unaided  ;  and  at  the 
time  of  his  death,  his  people  were  engaged  in  erecting  a  new 
and  greatly  improved  house  of  worship ;  and  they  attribute 
their  successful  action  in  this  work  to  his  influence  and 
efl'orts.  They  had  hoped  to  see  his  form  and  hear  his  voice 
within  its  completed  walls  ;  but  his  voice  is  silent,  and  they 
will  see  his  face  no  more. 

"  As  a  preacher,  Mr.  Wright  was  serious,  earnest  and  pun- 
gent. Important  thought,  stated  with  clearness,  neatness  and 
taste,  characterized  his  public  performances.  In  his  parochial 
visits  he  was  faithful,  while  friendly  and  cheerful.  The 
character  of  his  piety, — which  bore  a  just  relation  to  both 
the  understanding  and  to  the  emotions,  which  could  see 
clearly  and  hold  strongly  and  intelligently  the  distinctive  ob- 


156 


CHURCHES      AND     MINISTERS 


jects  of  faith,  and  could  also  feel  and  melt  or  kindle  and  glow 
at  the  cross, — was  evident  in  all  his  ministrations.  The  in- 
fluence which  went  out  from  him,  was  not  simply  that  of 
the  truth  faithfully  dispensed,  but  more  perhaps  that  of  a 
heart  thoroughly  imbued  with  the  truth  and  deeply  moved 
with  love  to  God  and  man — the  influence  of  truth  warm  and 
intense  with  feeling. 

"  Soon  after  their  marriage,  Mrs.  Wright  devoted  a  portion 
of  her  time  to  the  instruction  of  a  class  of  young  ladies. 
These  eff"orts  were  gradually  extended,  until  they  resulted 
in  the  establishment  of  the  present  Female  Seminary  in  West 
Haven.  The  maturing  of  this  Seminary,  the  erection  of  the 
building  on  its  beautiful  site,  and  the  procuring  of  funds 
needful  for  this  object,  the  contriving  and  carrying  out  of  all 
the  minute  details  of  the  plan,  with  the  labors  and  cares  of 
the  Principal  of  such  an  institution,  devolved  upon  Mr. 
Wright.  The  religious  interest,  also,  which  has  been  re- 
peatedly manifest  in  the  Seminary,  while  rejoicing  his  heart, 
has  added  to  his  anxieties  and  labors. 

'•These  duties,  with  those  included  in  his  pastoral  re- 
lation, and  of  late  the  labor  and  anxiety  connected  with  the 
erection  of  the  new  house  of  worship — in  all  which,  not 
only  a  leading,  prompting  influence,  but  also  the  planning 
and  carrying  out  of  no  small  part  of  the  details,  was  neces- 
sary, not  improbably  exceeded  even  his  powers  of  endurance. 

"  His  attack  of  typhus  fever  was  not  such  as  to  cause  ap- 
prehension, but  at  the  end  of  about  three  weeks  the  disease 
suddenly  assumed  an  alarming  form,  and  during  the  last 
week,  his  mind  had  but  one  brief  lucid  interval.  Early  in 
the  morning  of  the  23d  October,  1852,  he  died.  On  the  25th, 
devout  men  carried  him  to  his  burial  ;  his  remains  were  first 
borne  to  the  ancient  sanctuary,  where  a  sermon  was  preached 
by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bacon,  and  from  thence  to  the  grave.  He 
has  left  with  his  surviving  companion  a  son,  eight  years  of 
age." 

Mr.  Wright's  thoughts  were  first  directed  to  the  Christian 


OF     DEERFIELD.  157 

Ministry  as  the  employment  in  which  he  might  be  the  most 
useful,  by  reading  "Dr.  Hawes'  Lectm-es  to  Yomig  Men." 
His  ordination  sermon  was  preached  by  Dr.  Hawes.  A  lengthy 
obituary  notice  of  Mr.  Wright  was  published  in  the  New 
York  Evangelist,  in  November,  1852.  From  another  similar 
article,  published  in  the  New  York  Independent  about  the 
same  time,  the  following  extracts  are  taken  :  "  His  conversion 
was  not  one  of  those  cases  which  occasion  the  pastor  much 
doubt  and  anxiety,  but  one  of  a  decided  and  satisfactory 
character.  He  had  been  a  moral  youth  ;  but  when  awakened 
by  the  Spirit,  a  survey  of  his  past  life  produced  deep  and 
painful  feelings.  *  *  *  The  character  of  this  change,  and 
of  the  active  piety  which  resulted  from  it,  can  be  better  un- 
derstood from  an  interview  which  his  pastor  had  with  him  a 
few  weeks  after  it  occurred,  than  from  anything  else  that 
can  be  said.  On  meeting  him,  his  pastor,  addressing  him  by 
his  christian  name,  said,  '  Edward,  how  do  you  get  along  in 
religion  now  ?'  '  Very  well,'  was  his  reply.  '  But  have  you 
seen  no  dark  times — no  hours  and  days  of  doubt  and  anxiety 
about  your  christian  character  ?'  '  No,  sir  ;  I  cannot  say  that 
I  have.'  '  Have  you  had  enjoyment  in  religious  things  most 
of  the  time  since  your  hopeful  conversion  ?'  '  Yes,  sir.' 
'  And  how  have  you  managed  thus  to  enjoy  religion  so  con- 
stantly ?  Few  converts  are  able  to  do  this.'  'I  have 
pursued  one  course,  and  I  don't  know  any  other.  When  I 
was  converted,  I  gave  myself,  all  I  am,  and  all  I  have,  to 
Christ.  I  felt  that  I  belonged  to  him,  and  I  promised  to 
serve  him  daily  and  forever.  This  consecration  and  this 
promise  I  have  renewed  every  morning  when  I  awoke,  and 
at  night  I  have  examined  myself,  to  see  whether  I  had  kept 
it.'  'But  have  you  never  failed?'  'No,  sir.'  Here  was 
the  secret  spring  of  his  christian  life,  which  continued  to 
flow  out  till  the  day  of  his  death.  The  facts  brought  out  in 
this  interview  have  since  often  been  rehearsed,  without 
naming  the  person,  to  hundreds  of  hopeful  converts,  in  order 
to  illustrate  the  nature  of  true  piety,  and  to  stimulate  others 


158  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

to  the  same  course.  *  *  *  His  dying  testimony  fully  con- 
firmed the  testimony  of  his  life.  The  following  are  among 
his  last  rational  utterances.  They  were  part  of  the  last  in- 
telligent conversation,  which  he  had  with  his  wife  two  or 
three  days  before  his  death,  when  his  nearest  friends  hardly 
regarded  his  disease  as  dangerous.  Seemingly  conscious  that 
delirium  was  impending,  he  seized  the  opportunity  to  utter 
his  last  words :  '  God  must  be  glorified,  but  man  humbled. 
I  shall  never  rise  from  this  bed.  Will  the  interests  of  this 
institution  be  carried  on  ?  My  heart  has  been  in  it  too  deeply. 
But  God  has  blessed  it.  The  Holy  Spirit  has  often  de- 
scended upon  it.  This  church  ;  oh,  I  have  not  been  faithful 
as  I  ought,  as  a  preacher  !  I  have  not  felt  the  worth  of  the 
soul.  Oh,  what  untold  agonies  await  the  impenitent !  I 
shall  soon  be  coffined  for  the  grave.  I  shall  never  be  carried 
from  this  hill  alive.  The  Son  of  Man  has  come  at  an  hour 
when  I  little  expected  him.  I  have  been  a  great  sinner.  I 
have  had  many  failings.  But,  1  think,  in  looking  over  my 
life,  my  general  purpose  in  all  my  plans  has  been,  to  glorify 
God.'  And  then,  after  a  little  time,  when  he  seemed 
troubled  concerning  himself,  he  broke  forth  in  the  following 
triumphant  language  of  faith  :  'Oh,  the  precious  Saviour  !  He 
is  able  to  present  me  faultless  before  my  Father  in  heaven. 
Yes,  faultless.  Neither  death,  nor  life,  nor  angels,  nor  prin- 
cipalities, nor  powers,  shall  be  able  to  separate  me  from  the 
love  of  God.'  " 

Several  persons,  who  became  ministers  and  lived  for 
short  periods  in  Deerfield,  are  not  included  in  the  foregoing 
list.  Rev.  Dr.  Amariah  Chandler  was  born  in  Deerfield,  but 
removed  to  Shelburne  when  about  five  years  of  age,  and 
being  a  pastor  in  Greenfield,  a  notice  of  him  may  be  found 
in  the  account  of  the  Greenfield  pastors.  Mr.  Rodolphus 
B.  Hubbard,  when  four  years  of  age,  in  1807,  removed  to 
Deerfield  and  lived  there  a  short  time  ;  a  notice  of  whom 
may  be  found  in  the  account  of  the  preachers  who  origin- 
ated from  Sunderland.     Rev.  William  M.  Richards  in  1808, 


OF     DEERFIELD. 


159 


when  about  two  and  a  half  years  old,  removed  to  South 
Deerfield  and  lived  there  a  year  or  two,  and  also  lived  there 
several  years  subsequently,  to  learn  the  trade  of  shoemaker ; 
a  notice  of  whom  may  be  found  in  the  account  of  the  South 
Deerfield  pastors.  Rev.  Rufus  P.  Wells  spent  some  part  of 
his  early  life,  after  1826,  in  South  Deerfield;  a  notice  of 
whom  may  be  found  in  the  account  of  the  Whately  pastors. 
Of  the  fifteen  Congregational  ministers  reckoned  as  sons 
of  Deerfield,  thirteen  were  natives  of  the  town ;  fourteen 
were  graduates ;  thirteen  have  been  ordained  ;  two  were 
taken  captives  by  the  Indians ;  and  seven  are  now  living. 

OTHER    DENOMINATIONS. 

Baptists.  The  Baptist  church  in  Deerfield  was  organ- 
ized in  that  part  of  the  town  called  Wisdom,  Feb.  26,  1787; 
and  May  31,  1792,  the  church  voted  that  this  church  shall 
be  known  in  future  by  the  title  of  the  First  Baptist  Church 
of  Christ  in  Deerfield  and  Shelburne.  Aug.  24,  1832, 
this  church  met  at  Shelburne,  and  voted  to  divide  the 
church  into  two  bodies,  according  to  residence  of  the  mem- 
bers in  the  two  towns.  The  members  residing  in  Deerfield, 
at  a  meeting,  March  25,  1833,  took  the  name  of  the  Baptist 
Church  of  Deerfield.  In  February,  1834,  this  Deerfield 
church  voted,  by  a  majority  of  one,  to  dissolve  the  church. 
During  this  unsettled  state  of  things,  two  councils  were 
called  to  act  in  relation  to  their  organization.  Since  then, 
they  are  known  as  the  Baptist  church  of  Deerfield.  Its 
number  of  members  in  1853  was  55.  Among  the  preachers 
who  early  supplied  this  church,  were  Revs.  Messrs.  Beck- 
with.  Green,  Cole,  Hamilton,  and  Bennett.  Rev.  David 
Long  of  Shelburne  was  ordained  pastor  of  this  Union  church, 
Sept.  21,  1792,  and  served  them  till  his  death.  May  13,  1831, 
at  the  age  of  79.  Since  then,  the  following  Baptist  preach- 
ers have  supplied  in  Wisdom,  viz..  Revs.  Messrs.  Tristram 
Aldrich,  Austin,  Orra  Martin,  Dalrymple,  George  B.  Bills, 
Milo  Frary,  and  W.  A.  Pease.  They  have  not  had  much 
preaching  regularly  for  some  time  past. 


160  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

Episcopalians.  Of  this  denomination,  the  following  min- 
isters originated  from  Deerfield,  viz.,  Rev.  Rodolphns  Dick- 
inson and  Rev.  John  Williams,  D.  D. 

Methodists.  The  Methodist  church  in  Deerfield  was  or- 
ganized in  South  Deerfield,  in  the  spring  of  1843.  The 
following  ministers  have  supplied  it  with  preaching,  viz., 
Kevs.  F.  A.  Griswold,  W.  A.  Braman,  L.  B.  Clark,  R.  P. 
Buffington,  C.  A.  Perry,  John  Smith,  W.  F.  Lacount,  and 
W.  M.  Hubbard  in  1853.  One  Methodist  minister.  Rev. 
Chester  Field,  Jr.,  originated  from  Deerfield. 

Unitarians.  The  Unitarian  church  in  Deerfield  was  orig- 
inally, and  until  the  early  part  of  the  present  century,  an 
Orthodox  Congregational  church,  and  is  supposed  to  have 
been  formed  not  far  from  the  time  of  the  settlement  of  its 
first  pastor,  in  1686.  The  following  Unitarian  pastors  have 
been  settled  over  it,  viz. :  Rev.  Samuel  Willard,  D.  D., 
settled  September,  1807,  and  dismissed  Sept.  23,  1829 ;  Rev. 
John  Fessenden,  settled  May  19,  1830,  and  dismissed  May 
31,  1840 ;  Rev.  Daniel  B.  Parkhurst,  settled  July  21,  1841, 
and  died  Feb.  16,  1842 ;  Rev.  James  Blodget,  settled  Jan. 
17,  1844,  and  dismissed  June  16,  1845 ;  and  Rev.  John  F. 
Moors,  ordained  Jan.  28,  1845,  and  is  still  the  pastor. 

Summary  of  preachers  who  have  originated  from  Deerfield. 
Orthodox  Congregationalists,  15 ;  Episcopalians,  2 ;  Meth- 
odists, 1.     Total,  18. 

FRYING. 

This  place  was  an  unincorporated  tract  of  land  and  called 
Erving's  Grant,  until  1838.  The  place  had  not  begun  to  be 
settled  to  any  great  extent  till  1800  or  1801,  when  the  turn- 
pike road  was  built  through  it.  Col.  Asaph  White,  from 
Heath,  erected  a  log-house  here  in  1802,  which  was  used  as 
the  public  house  till  1819.  In  1820  a  school-house  was 
erected,  which  was  the  place  for  religious  meetings,  when- 
ever they  were  held,  till  1842.     It  is  not  known  that  any 


OF     ERVING.  161 

religious  organization  existed  in  the  place  previous  to  1832. 
Baptist  preaching  was  supplied  to  some  extent,  from  1818  to 
1830,  by  Elder  David  Goddard  of  Wendell,  and  Elder  Shep- 
ardson  of  Warwick,  and  Elder  Andrews  of  Hinsdale,  N,  H. 
In  1820  the  Massachusetts  Missionary  Society  began  to 
furnish  the  people  some  aid ;  and  in  1830,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  Society,  Rev.  Dr.  Packard  and  Rev.  T.  Packard, 
Jr.,  of  Shelburne,  preached  among  them  for  a  short  time. 
The  town  was  incorporated  April  17,  1838.  The  popula- 
tion in  1850,  was  449.  One  Congregational  church,  one 
Baptist  church,  and  a  Universalist  society,  have  been  formed 
in  Erving. 

CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

Church.  The  Congregational  church  was  organized  Sept. 
19,  1832,  with  fifteen  members,  by  Revs.  Bancroft  Fowler 
of  Northfield,  Samuel  Kingsbury  of  Warwick,  and  Job  Cush- 
man.  Their  first  and  present  Meeting-house  was  built  in 
1842.  A  series  of  religious  meetings,  during  the  week,  was 
held  in  1834,  conducted  chiefly  by  Rev.  Bancroft  Fowler, 
and  Rev.  Warren  Allen  then  of  Irvingsville  ;  and  in  1835 
about  thirty  persons  were  added  to  the  church. 

This  church,  in  connection  with  the  one  at  Irvingsville, 
have  received  missionary  aid,  since  1820,  to  the  amount  of 
$2,032.  The  amount  contributed  to  the  cause  of  christian 
benevolence  in  1844,  was  $12,  which  is  the  last  contri- 
bution received  from  this  people.  The  number  in  the  Sab- 
bath School  in  1852,  was  30.  The  church,  in  1853,  num- 
bered 21.  Previous  to  the  settlement  of  a  pastor  over  this 
church,  it  was  supplied  occasionally  with  preaching  by  the 
neighboring  ministers ;  and  the  Rev.  Dyer  Ball  supplied 
them  a  short  time,  a  little  before  his  embarkation  as  a  mis- 
sionary to  China.  The  church  has  had  but  one  pastor.  In 
the  twenty-one  years  this  church  has  existed,  it  has  been 
destitute  of  a  settled  ministry  about  nineteen  years. 

Pastor.  Rev.  Josiah  Tucker  was  installed  pastor  of  this 
21 


162  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

church  and  of  the  Congregational  church  in  Irvingsville, 
Nov.  16,  1842,  and  preached  aUernately  in  the  two  places. 
Rev.  Dr.  Joseph  S.  Clark  of  Boston  preached  the  sermon  on 
the  occasion,  Mr.  Tucker  was  dismissed  from  both  these 
churches,  Aug.  7,  1844.  He  was  born  in  Milton,  June  4, 
1792 ;  pursued  classical  studies  at  Phillips  Academy,  but 
never  graduated  at  any  college  ;  completed  his  course  of  the- 
ological study  at  Andover  in  1825  ;  was  licensed  by  the  Nor- 
folk Association  in  May,  1824 ;  settled  as  a  pastor  in  Madi- 
son, Me.,  May  10,  1825,  and  Rev.  David  Thurston  of 
Winthrop,  Me.,  preached  the  sermon  on  the  occasion ;  dis- 
missed from  there,  in  1836 ;  installed  as  pastor  in  Bingham, 
Me.,  March  8,  1837,  and  Rev.  Josiah  Peet  of  Norridgewock, 
Me.,  preached  the  sermon;  dismissed  from  there,  in  1842; 
preached  as  stated  supply  three  years  in  Mercer,  Me. ;  em- 
ployed as  colporteur  of  the  American  Tract  Society,  two 
years  in  Somersett  and  Franklin  Counties,  Me.,  residing  in 
Madison,  Me.,  and  two  years  in  Norfolk,  Plymouth,  and 
Bristol  Counties,  Mass.,  residing  in  Milton ;  for  some  time 
past,  he  has  been  a  colporteur  of  the  American  and  Foreign 
Christian  Union  among  the  Catholics,  and  resides  in  Taun- 
ton. His  ministry  in  Erving  and  Irvingsville  was  not  quite 
two  years. 

After  Mr.  Tucker's  dismission,  this  church  was  supplied 
by  Professor  William  Tyler  of  Amherst  College  in  1845  ; 
by  Rev.  Charles  Chamberlain  in  1846 ;  by  Rev.  A.  B.  Foster 
in  1848  and  1849;  by  Rev.  John  H.  Stratton  in  1849  and 
1850,  who  died  in  Erving,  April  26,  1851,  aged  37;  by  Rev. 
George  Trask  in  1851 ;  by  Rev.  Ochus  G.  Hubbard  in  1852. 
In  1853  the  house  was  occupied  by  Rev.  Mr.  Hayward,  a 
Methodist  minister,  employed  by  the  Congregational  people. 
In  1854  the  house  was  sold  at  public  auction,  for  $500,  on 
account  of  the  embarrassment  of  the  proprietors. 

OTHER    DENOMINATIONS. 

Baptists,     A  branch  of  the  South  Orange  Baptist  Church 


OF     GILL.  163 

was  formed  in  Erving  in  1835,  and  became  extinct  in  1839. 
Rev.  Lysander  Fay  supplied  this  church  for  the  most  part, 
so  far  as  they  had  preaching.  Rev.  Artemas  Piper,  a  Baptist 
minister,  originated  from  this  place. 

Universalists.  a  Universalist  society  was  organized  in 
this  place  in  1836,  and  became  extinct  in  1848. 

A  series  of  meetings  was  held  by  the  Millerites,  among 
the  people  in  Erving,  in  1843. 

Summary  of  ministers  originating  from  Erving  :  Baptists, 
1.     Total,  1. 

GILL. 

This  town  was  formerly  a  part  of  Deerfield.  "  It  received 
its  name  in  honor  of  Lieutenant  Governor  Moses  Gill."  It 
was  incorporated  Sept.  28,  1793.  Its  population  in  1850, 
was  754.  Two  churches  have  been  organized  in  Gill ;  one 
Congregational  and  one  Methodist. 

CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

Church.  The  early  records  of  this  church  being  lost,  the 
date  of  its  organization  cannot  be  ascertained  with  precision 
or  certainty.  In  Willard's  History  of  Greenfield,  a  portion 
of  Rev.  Dr.  Roger  Newton's  Diary  is  inserted,  from  which 
the  following  is  an  extract,  viz. : — "May  22,  1796.  Voted, 
members  of  this  church  residing  in  Gill,  might  with  others 
form  themselves  into  a  church  by  themselves  in  that  place." 
From  this  extract  it  would  appear,  that  the  church  in  Gill 
was  not  formed  previous  to  May  22,  1796.  But  others,  and 
especially  the  present  pastors  of  the  Gill  church,  reckon  the 
date  of  its  formation  to  be  1793.  "  The  probable  number 
of  members  organized  is  twenty-nine."  Meeting-houses: 
For  some  years,  religious  meetings  were  held  in  private 
houses  and  in  barns.  The  first  house  of  worship  in  Gill 
began  to  be  occupied  in  1798,  but  was  not  finished  till  1805, 
and  was  dedicated  Nov.  20,  1805.  The  house  was  remod- 
eled and  fitted  up  anew  in  1848.     Revivals  were  enjoyed 


164  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

ill  Gill  in  1810,  in  1816,  by  which  forty  were  added  to  the 
church,  and  in  1832.  This  church  began  to  receive  charita- 
ble aid  for  the  support  of  the  gospel  in  1826,  and  has  re- 
ceived $500,  but  does  not  now  receive  aid.  The  amount 
given  by  this  church  and  people  to  the  cause  of  christian 
benevolence  in  1853,  was  $35.  The  number  in  the  Sab- 
bath School  in  1852,  was  45.  The  church  in  1853  con- 
sisted of  46  members.  Previous  to  the  settlement  of  the  first 
pastor,  Rev.  Zephaniah  Swift  preached  among  this  people, 
and  received  an  invitation  to  settle  as  their  pastor,  but  de- 
clined the  call.  After  him,  Rev.  Jesse  Edson  of  Halifax,  Vt., 
and  Rev.  Joel  Baker  of  West  Granville,  preached  for  short 
periods  to  this  people.  In  the  sixty  years  since  this  church 
was  probably  organized,  it  has  had  settled  pastors  about  43 
years,  and  has  been  destitute  of  the  same  about  17  years. 
This  church  has  had  six  pastors. 

Pastors.  1.*  Rev.  John  Jackson  was  ordained  as  the 
first  pastor  of  this  church,  Jan.  10,  1798,  and  Rev.  Joel  Fos- 
ter of  New  Salem  preached  the  sermon  on  the  occasion, 
which  was  published ;  and  was  dismissed  from  his  pastoral 
charge  in  Gill,  Oct.  10,  1801,  Mr.  Jackson  was  born  in  Peters- 
ham in  1771 ;  graduated  at  Dartmouth  in  1792 ;  and  stud- 
ied theology  with  Rev.  Joel  Foster  of  New  Salem,  and  Rev. 
Judah  Nash  of  Montague.  Oral  tradition  says,  that  he  was 
dismissed  from  Gill  for  immoralities,  by  a  council  that  de- 
posed him  from  the  ministry.  He  lived  in  Gill  several  years 
after  his  dismission,  and  eventually  removed  to  Canada,  and 
died  in  Brome,  East  Canada.  The  following  account  of  him 
was  recently  furnished  to  the  author,  by  Rev.  David 
Connelly,  pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  in  that  place, 
and  who  was  well  acquainted  with  Mr.  Jackson,  and  attended 
his  funeral.  ''His  first  settlement  in  Canada  was  in  the 
township  of  Stukely,  Canada  East.  His  labors  in  this  new 
field  were  strictly  of  a  missionary  character.  The  country 
was  then  (as  it  is  even  now)  new  and  thinly  settled.  In 
the  year  1815  he  removed  from  Stukely  to  the  township  of 


OF     GILL.  165 

Brome,  about  twenty  miles  from  the  former.  Brome  was 
then  almost  an  entire  wilderness,'  with  a  thinly  scattered 
population.  His  labors  in  these  circumstances  were  neces- 
sarily missionary.  No  church  or  meeting-house  then  existed 
in  the  place.  Some  humble  dwelling,  or  small  schoolhouse, 
was  the  best  that  could  be  obtained  as  a  place  of  worship. 
In  these  circumstances  he  continued  in  the  ministry  of  the 
word,  preaching,  as  opportunity  presented,  for  the  period  of 
five  years,  when,  owing  to  such  unfavorable  circumstances 
and  feeble  health,  the  necessities  of  a  young  and  rising  fam- 
ily led  him  to  engage  in  agricultural  pursuits,  and  to  retire 
from  the  office  of  the  ministry.  In  his  latter  years,  it  was 
his  chief  desire  to  enjoy  the  ministry  of  the  gospel  for  his 
own  benefit,  and  the  welfare  of  his  family  and  neighbors ; 
and  while  friendly  with  ministers  of  different  denominations, 
it  was  his  highest  gratification  to  meet  with  a  minister  of  the 
Congregational  order.  In  the  year  1842,  I  visited  the  town 
of  Brome,  as  a  Congregational  minister,  and  found  Esquire 
Jackson,  as  he  was  then  called,  (having  held  the  office  of 
magistrate  for  about  twelve  years,)  one  of  the  most  interested 
of  a  few  christians  to  have  a  settled  minister  in  the  place.  I 
was  induced  to  settle  in  this  destitute  field,  then  without  a 
church  or  minister  of  any  denomination.  About  a  year  after 
my  settlement,  I  had  erected  a  comfortable  meeting-house, 
and  formed  a  church  of  fifteen  members  on  Congregational 
prhiciples.  Esquire  Jackson,  his  wife,  and  one  of  his  sons, 
(who  is  now  one  of  the  Deacons  of  the  church,)  with  his 
wife  and  his  wife's  mother,  were  then  received  into  the 
church,  and  united  with  a  few  others  in  christian  fellowship. 
For  a  short  period,  I  had  much  pleasure  from  the  society  and 
christian  friendship  of  Mr.  Jackson.  He  was  a  person  of 
most  pleasing  and  afi"able  manners,  and  most  sociably  dis- 
posed. He  had  been  permitted  to  see  his  prayers  answered 
in  an  improved  state  of  religious  society ;  but  the  Lord  had 
designed  that,  this  feeble  cause  once  established,  his  work 
on  earth  should  soon  close.     In  the  second  week  of  March, 


166  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

1844,  Mr.  Jackson  complained  a  little  from  the  effects  of  a 
cold.  He  was  confined  a  few  days  to  his  bed,  without  any- 
severe  pain  or  suffering.  On  the  day  previous  to  that  of  his 
death,  I  saw  him,  and  he  thought  he  was  doing  well,  and 
would  soon  be  better.  But  it  was  otherwise  determined  by 
Him,  who  cannot  err.  On  the  morning  after  I  had  seen 
him,  one  of  the  family  came  to  inform  me,  that  their  father 
seemed  much  worse.  I  hastened  to  see  him,  and  when  I 
stood  by  his  bedside,  I  found  he  was  speechless.  The  tide 
of  life  seemed  fast  ebbing,  and  with  the  family  I  engaged  in 
prayer,  and  just  as  we  rose  from  commending  his  spirit  to 
God,  his  spirit  had  departed,  and  all  was  silent  in  death.  He 
departed  this  life  on  the  ISth  of  March,  1844.  On  the  20th, 
the  solemn  occasion  was  improved  at  the  Congregational 
chapel  in  Brome,  by  a  sermon  from  the  Rev.  Dr.  Wilkes, 
pastor  of  the  First  Congregational  church  at  Montreal,  from 
the  words :  '  It  is  appointed  unto  men  once  to  die,  but  after 
this  the  judgment ;'  after  which  the  congregation  followed 
the  silent  remains  of  Mr.  Jackson  from  the  chapel  at  Brome, 
to  the  adjoining  burying-ground,  where  his  mortal  remains 
have  found  a  final  resting  place — 'a  narrow  house  appointed 
for  all  living.'  It  so  happened,  that  Dr.  Wilkes  was  on  a 
visit  to  me  at  that  time,  and  I  prevailed  on  him,  as  acquainted 
with  Mr.  Jackson,  to  improve  the  occasion.  On  the  follow- 
ing Sabbath,  I  preached  the  funeral  sermon  to  a  large  and  at- 
tentive audience,  from  Proverbs  iv.  18 :  '  The  path  of  the 
just  is  as  the  shining  light,  which  shineth  more  and  more 
unto  the  perfect  day.'  A  neat  white  marble  stone  is  erected 
in  the  graveyard  adjoining  the  Congregational  chapel,  Brome, 
to  mark  the  resting  place  of  Mr.  Jackson's  mortal  remains, 
with  the  following  inscription  : — '  John  Jackson,  Esq.  De- 
parted this  life  at  Brome,  on  the  18th  March,  1844,  aged  73 
years.' " 

It  has  been  reported  that  Mr.  Jackson  became  an  Episco- 
pal clergyman  in  Canada.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Connelly  of  Brome 
thus  speaks  of  this  point,  and  also  respecting  his  family : 


OF     GILL.  167 

"  I  know  of  no  foundation  for  the  idea  of  Mr.  Jackson's  ever 
having  connected  himself  with  Episcopalians.  This  he  did 
not  do.  At  one  time,  I  fear,  he  had  been  troubled  in  his 
mind  with  the  doctrine  of  Universalism.  Before  I  settled, 
such  preachers  and  doctrine  were  very  prevalent  in  Brome. 
Mr.  Jackson  never  affirmed  such  doctrine  to  me,  but  we.  for 
a  time,  conversed  much  on  the  subject.  Whatever  may  have 
been  his  thoughts  or  feelings  previous  to  my  settlement,  I 
am  sure  that  soon  after  I  settled,  his  doctrinal  views  were 
as  firm  and  established  against  Universalism  as  my  own. 
With  Episcopacy  he  never  was  in  any  way  identified." 

At  his  death  he  was  in  comfortable  worldly  circumstances, 
but  had  given  up  to  his  youngest  son  his  possessions,  on  the 
understanding  that  himself  and  wife  should  be  provided  for 
during  life.  His  aged  widow  still  survives,  very  active  for 
a  person  of  her  years,  and  is  living  with  her  son  on  the  old 
homestead.  The  family  he  left  at  his  death  were  his  aged 
companion  in  life,  four  sons  and  one  daughter.  His  daugh- 
ter has  since  followed  him  to  the  "  narrow  house  appointed 
for  all  living."  His  son  James  has  gone  to  California  ;  and 
his  other  three  sons,  John  A.,  Horatio  Nelson,  and  Addison, 
are  settled  with  their  families  around  the  place  of  their  fa- 
ther's late  residence.  Mr.  Jackson's  wife  was  Miss  Rebecca 
Rogers  of  Petersham.  Mr.  Jackson's  ministry  in  Gill  lacked 
about  three  months  of  four  years. 

2.*  Rev.  Jabez  Munsell  was  settled  as  pastor  of  this 
church.  May  26,  1802,  and  Rev.  John  Taylor  of  Deerfield 
preached  the  sermon  ;  and  he  was  dismissed  May  28,  1805. 
Mr.  Munsell  is  supposed  to  have  originated  from  Franklin, 
Ct.,  and  to  have  been  born  about  1772;  he  graduated  at 
Dartmouth  in  1794  ;  studied  theology  with  Rev.  Dr.  Backus 
of  Somers,  Ct.  ;  after  his  dismission  from  Gill  he  engaged 
chiefly  in  teaching,  but  preached  occasionally,  and  first  re- 
sided in  New  London,  Ct.,  then  in  Newburg  and  Kingston, 
N.  Y.,  afterwards  in  Newborn,  N.  C,  also  in  Richmond,  Ya., 
and  his  last  place  of  residence  was  Norfolk,  Va..  where  he 


168  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

died,  Aug.  1,  1832.  The  following  obituary  notice  of  him 
appeared  in  the  Norfold  Herald,  Aug.  3,  1832  :  "  Died,  on 
Wednesday,  of  the  prevailing  cholera,  after  an  illness  of  a 
few  hours,  the  Rev.  Jabez  Munsell,  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  aged  60  years.  He  had  been  residing  among  us  for 
about  two  years,  as  the  teacher  of  a  female  school,  and  in 
that  capacity  was  eminently  useful  and  highly  respected. 
Though  comparatively  a  stranger  here,  yet  his  conduct  as  a 
man  and  as  a  christian  had  secured  the  esteem  of  all  his  ac- 
quaintance, for  he  was  an  example  of  ''  whatsoever  is  excel- 
lent and  of  good  report."  With  a  sound  understanding  and 
a  good  education,  he  combined  excellencies  of  heart  and  a 
scriptural  piety,  which  rendered  his  conversation  and  ex- 
ample pleasant  and  instructive.  His  death  has  produced 
more  than  ordinary  sensation,  and  is  deeply  lamented  ;  and 
most  tenderly  does  the  whole  community  sympathize  with 
his  lovely  family  in  his  very  sudden  and  unexpected  depar- 
ture, by  which  a  wife  has  been  deprived  of  a  most  excellent 
and  affectionate  husband,  and  his  children  of  a  most  kind 
and  useful  father.  He  retained  his  reason  to  the  last,  and 
found  his  religious  principles  sufficient  to  sustain  him  in  the 
last  struggles.  He  submitted  to  the  will  of  God  with  chris- 
tian patience  and  resignation,  and  yielded  his  wife  and 
children  to  Him  who  has  promised  to  be  the  God  of  the 
widow  and  the  father  of  the  fatherless  ones."  His  ministry 
in  Gill  was  about  three  years. 

3.  Rev.  Josiah  W.  Canning  was  ordained  as  the  third 
pastor  of  this  church,  June  11,  1806,  and  the  sermon  was  by 
Rev.  Dr.  Packard  of  Shelburne,  and  was  published.  Mr. 
Canning  was  dismissed  from  Gill,  June  11,  1827.  He  was 
born  in  New  Braintree,  Feb.  27,  1780  ;  graduated  at  Williams 
in  1803  ;  studied  theology  with  Rev.  Asahel  Hooker  of 
Goshen,  Ct.  ;  was  licensed,  June  11,  1805,  by  the  North 
Litchfield  Association,  Ct.  ;  in  1805,  supplied  in  South 
Britain,  Bridge  water,  Ct.,  and  in  Rowe  ;  after  his  dismission 
from  Gill,   he  taught  the  academy  in  Williamstown  from 


OF    GILL.  169 

1827  to  1831  ;  and  taught  in  Canajoharie,  N.  Y.,  one  year  ; 
returned  to  Gill  in  1832,  and  preached  there  as  a  stated  sup- 
ply till  Sept.  24,  1839,  when  he  was  settled  the  second  time 
as  pastor  of  the  church,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  John 
Mitchell,  then  of  Northampton  ;  he  performed  the  duties  of 
a  pastor  till  disabled  by  a  shock  of  palsy,  Sept.  G,  1846,  and 
still  retains  the  relation  of  pastor,  and  resides  in  Gill.  Mr, 
Canning's  surname  was  changed  some  years  since  by  the  Leg- 
islature from  Cannon.  Several  of  his  sermons  have  been  pub- 
lished at  ditferent  times.  Both  periods  of  his  ministry  in 
Gill  amount  to  about  thirty-five  years. 

During  Mr.  Canning's  absence  from  Gill,  Rev.  Francis  L. 
Whiting  and  Rev.  James  Sandford  supplied  preaching  a 
part  of  the  time  ;  and  after  he  relinquished  preaching,  in 
1846,  Rev.  J.  H.  M.  Leland  supplied  for  a  considerable 
time. 

4.  Rev.  James  Sandford  was  installed  as  pastor  of  the 
church,  Dec.  25,  1829,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Dr. 
Packard  of  Shelburne  ;  and  he  was  dismissed  from  Gill, 
April  21,  1831.  Mr.  Sandford  was  born  in  Berkley,  May  7, 
1786  ;  graduated  at  Brown  University  in  1812  ;  studied 
theology  with  Rev.  Jonathan  Burr  of  Sandwich  ;  settled  as 
pastor  in  Fabius,  N.  Y.,  in  1815,  and  Rev.  Jabez  Chadwick: 
preached  on  the  occasion  ;  was  dismissed  from  there  in  1820  ; 
installed  as  pastor  in  Oxbow,  Jefferson  County,  N.  Y.,  in. 
1820,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Snowden  preached  the  sermon ;  was 
dismissed  from  there  about  1829.  After  leaving  Gill,  he: 
supplied,  from  1831  to  1847,  in  Holland  ;  preached  as  a  stated 
supply,  from  1847  to  1851,  in  Oxbow,  N.  Y.  ;  and  since: 
then  has  been  engaged  in  agriculture,  and  is  still  living  in: 
Oxbow,  N.  Y.  Mr.  Sandford  has  several  brothers,  who  are 
ministers  in  Massachusetts.  His  ministry  in  Gill  was  a  little- 
more  than  one  year. 

5.  Rev.  William  Miller  was  settled  as  pastor  of  this; 
church,  Feb.  21,  1849,  and  Rev.  Samuel  Harris,  then  of 
Conway,  preached  the  sermon  ;  and  he  was  dismissed  from 

22 


170  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

Gill,  June  4,  1850.  Mr.  Miller  was  born  in  New  Braintree, 
Aug.  8,  1817  ;  graduated  at  Amherst  in  1842  ;  studied  the- 
ology at  Andover  ;  was  licensed  by  the  Andover  Association, 
April  8,  1845  ;  ordained  as  pastor  in  Halifax,  Vt.,  Oct.  1, 
1845,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Chandler  of  Greenfield  preached  the 
sermon  ;  was  dismissed  from  Halifax,  Vt.,  July  14,  1847  ; 
after  his  dismission  from  Gill  engaged  in  teaching,  and 
preached  occasionally  ;  resided  in  Demiysville,  Me.,  in  1851 
and  1852,  and  is  now  teaching  in  North  Brookfield.  He 
preached  in  Gill  a  considerable  time  previous  to  his  set- 
tlement there.  His  pastorate  there  was  a 'little  more  than 
one  year. 

6.  Rev.  Edward  F.  Brooks  was  installed  as  pastor  of  this 
church,  June  25,  1851,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  A.  H, 
Clapp  of  Brattleboro',  Yt.  Mr.  Brooks  was  born  in  Halifax, 
Vt.,  in  1812  ;  graduated  at  Washington  College,  Pennsylva- 
nia, in  1839  ;  finished  his  theological  studies  at  Princeton, 
N.  J.,  in  1842  ;  was  ordained  as  an  Evangelist  at  Elizabeth- 
town,  N.  J.,  in  October,  1842,  by  the  Raritan  Presbytery, 
and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Dr.  Studdiford  of  Lambertville, 
N.  J.  ;  labored  as  a  missionary  one  year,  from  May,  1843, 
under  the  General  Assembly's  Board,  at  French  Creek,  Lewis 
County,  Va.,  among  a  population,  many  of  whom  had  re- 
moved from  Ashfield,  Buckland,  Charlemont  and  Heath, 
Mass.  ;  during  the  year  a  revival  was  experienced,  and 
thirty-three  were  added  to  the  church  ;  afterwards  supplied 
a  year  at  Riverhead,  on  Long  Island,  N.  Y.,  and  four  years 
at  West  Woodstock,  Ct.,  and  one  year  at  Manchester,  N.  J. 
Mr.  Brooks  had  one  brother  who  was  a  minister.  Rev.  Asa 
Brooks,  who  died  at  Clarksburg,  Va.,  Dec.  23,  1834.  Mr. 
Brooks  is  still  a  pastor  at  Gill,  in  the  third  year  of  his  pasto- 
rate there. 

Of  the  six  pastors  of  this  church,  five  were  dismissed  ; 
one  was  re-settled  ;  four  are  now  living  ;  and  the  average 
length  of  their  pastorates  in  Gill  was  about  eight  years. 


OF     GILL.  171 


CONGREGATIONAL    MINISTERS    WHO    ORIGINATED    FROM    GILL. 

1.  Rev.  William  M.  Richards  was  born  in  Hartford,  Ct., 
but,  at  about  four  years  of  age,  removed  to  Gill,  where  he 
lived  about  twelve  years,  and,  having  been  a  pastor  in  South 
Deerfield,  a  further  notice  of  him  may  be  found  in  the  ac- 
count of  the  South  Deerfield  pastors. 

2.  Rev.  Samuel  H.  Riddel  was  born  in  Bristol,  Me.,  Jan. 
2,  1800,  and  is  the  son  of  Rev.  William  Riddel,  who  is 
noticed  in  the  account  of  the  Coleraine  ministers.  In  early 
life,  having  resided  but  a  short  time  in  any  one  place,  and 
having  lived  in  Gill  from  1810  to  1815,  Mr.  Riddel  is  here 
reckoned  in  the  list  of  Gill  ministers.  In  Bernardston  and 
in  Hadley  he  spent  a  portion  of  his  early  years.  Mr.  Riddel 
graduated  at  Yale  in  1823  ;  finished  the  theological  course 
at  Andover  in  1826  ;  ordained  as  pastor  in  Glastonbury,  Ct., 
June  27,  1827,  and  Rev.  Samuel  Greene,  then  of  Boston, 
preached  on  the  occasion ;  dismissed  from  there  in  about  ten 
years  ;  officiated  as  Secretary  of  the  Connecticut  Branch  of 
the  American  Education  Society  two  years  ;  was  editor  of 
the  Congregationalist,  in  Hartford,  Ct.,  two  years  ;  was  Sec- 
retary of  the  American  Education  Society  from  1841  to 
1850  ;  assisted  for  several  months  in  the  office  of  the 
American  Home  Missionary  Society,  in  New  York,  and 
is  now  an  associate  editor  of  the  Puritan  Recorder,  Boston. 

3.  Rev.  Jubilee  Wellman  was  born  in  Gill,  Feb.  20,  1793, 
(the  town  at  that  time  not  being  incorporated  it  was  in- 
cluded in  Greenfield,)  and  removed  in  early  life  and  resided 
in  Charlestown  and  Acvvorth,  N.  H.  ;  never  graduated  at 
any  college  ;  finished  the  theological  course  at  Bangor  in 
1823  ;  preached  in  Winthrop  and  Frankfort,  Me.  ;  ordained 
as  pastor  in  Frankfort,  Me.,  Sept.  17,  1824,  and  Professor 
Bancroft  Fowler,  then  of  the  Bangor  Seminary,  preached 
the  sermon  ;  dismissed  from  there,  Jan.  3,  1826  ;  installed 
as  pastor  at  Warner,  N.  H.,  Sept.  26,  1827,  and  Rev.  Dr. 
Wood  of  Boscawen,  N.  H.,  preached  on  the  occasion  ;  dis- 


172  CHURCHES      AND     MINISTERS 

missed  from  there,  Feb.  14,  1837  ;  afterwards  preached  at 
Bristol,  Hookset,  and  Meredith  Bridge,  N.  H.  ;  installed  as 
pastor  in  Westminster  West,  Vt.,  March  7,  1838,  and  Rev. 
Dr.  Barstow  of  Keene,  N.  H.,  preached  on  the  occasion  ; 
dismissed  from  there,  Jan.  5,  1842  ;  supplied  two  years  in 
Cavendish  and  Plymouth,  Vt.  ;  from  1844  to  1849  preached 
in  Cavendish,  Vt.  ;  installed  pastor  in  Lowell,  Vt.,  Oct,  17, 
1849,  and  Rev.  Joseph  Underwood  of  Hard  wick,  Vt., 
preached  the  sermon.  Under  his  labors  in  Warner,  N.  H., 
there  were  seventy-live  cases  of  hopeful  conversion  in 
1828-9  ;  one  hundred  in  1831  ;  and,  in  1832,  fifty  ;  like- 
wise under  his  labors  in  Westminster  West,  Vt.,  in  1840, 
fifty  were  added  to  the  church.  Mr.  Wellman  is  still  pastor 
in  Lowell,  Vt. 

Of  the  three  Congregational  ministers  here  reckoned  as 
originating  from  Gill,  one  was  a  native  of  the  place  ;  two 
were  graduates ;  all  have  been  pastors ;  and  all  are  now 
living. 

OTHER    DENOMINATIONS. 

Methodists.  The  Methodist  church  in  Gill  was  organ- 
ized in  1803.  The  following  preachers  have  supplied  the 
church,  viz.,  Revs.  John  Nixon,  Alexander  Hulin,  Elisha 
Andrews,  John  B.  Husted,  Frederic  W.  Sizer,  James  C. 
Bonticou,  William  Todd,  Oliver  E.  Bosworth,  Windsor  Ward, 
Horace  Moulton,  Elias  P.  Stevens,  Daniel  Bannister, William 
Kimball,  Charles  Hayward,  William  Wilcutt,  Lyman  Wing, 
Asa  Niles,  Mr,  Culver,  Samuel  Heath,  Alanson  Latham^  Philo 
Hawks,  John  Tate,  William  Gordon,  David  Todd,  Ichabod 
Marcy,  H.  Clarke,  John  Ricketts,  William  A.  Clapp,  Charles 
Barnes,  Moses  Stoddard,  Leonard  Frost,  D.  L.  Winslow, 
Homan  Church,  Jarvis  Wilson,  J.  W.  P,  Jordan,  and  Solo- 
mon Cushman  who  died  in  Gill,  Oct.  8,  1853,  aged  46,  and 
since  then  Horace  Smith,  Revs.  Elijah  Field  and  James  O. 
Dean,  Methodist  ministers,  originated  from  Gill, 

Unitarians.  Revs.  John  Bascomb  and  F.  A.  Tenny, 
Unitarian  ministers,  originated  from  Gill, 


OF      GREENFIELD.  173 

Summary  of  preachers  originating  from  Gill :  Orthodox 
Congregationalists,  3  ;  Methodists,  2  ;  Unitarians,  2.    Total,  7. 

GREENFIELD. 

This  town  was  formerly  a  part  of  Deerfield,  and  was  in- 
corporated Jmie  9,  1753.  Its  population  in  1850  was  2580. 
Six  churches  have  been  organized  in  the  town,  viz.,  two 
Orthodox  Congregational,  one  Baptist,  one  Episcopal,  one 
Methodist,  and  one  Unitarian. 

CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

First  Church.  The  first  Congregational  church  in 
Greenfield  was  organized  at  the  time  of  the  settlement  of 
the  first  pastor,  which  was  March  28,  1754.  Eleven  mem- 
bers were  organized.  Rev.  Dr.  Jonathan  Edwards,  senior, 
then  of  Stockbridge,  was  on  the  council  to  constitute  the 
church. 

Meetmg-hoiises.  The  first  house  of  worship  in  Greenfield 
was  begun  in  1760.  but  was  not  finished  for  many  years  ;  it 
was  for  some  time  without  pews  or  slips.  It  was  located 
some  two  miles  north  of  the  village,  and  about  two  miles 
east  of  the  present  house  of  worship  belonging  to  the  first 
church  and  society,  and  was  occupied  for  religious  worship 
until  it  was  demolished  in  1831.  The  second  house  of  wor- 
ship belonging  to  the  first  Congregational  society  was  built 
in  1831,  and  was  remodeled  in  1852.  In  the  early  settle- 
ment of  the  town,  the  people  were  notified  of  meetings  on 
the  Sabbath  and  on  other  days,  by  the  beating  of  a  drum  ; 
and  for  this  service  the  sexton  was  paid  one  year  four  pounds 
and  ten  shillings. 

Revivals.  In  1817  and  1818,  there  was  some  special  re- 
ligious interest,  and  twenty-nine  were  added  to  the  church  ; 
in  1831  some  cases  of  hopeful  conversion  occurred  ;  and  in 
1852  ten  were    added  to  the  church.     The   early  church 


174  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

records  being  lost,  it  is  difficult  to  ascertain  the  state  of  the 
church  in  the  first  part  of  its  history. 

Previous  to  the  settlement  of  the  second  pastor,  about  1760, 
a  call  was  given  to  Mr.  Bulkley  Orcutt  to  settle  as  a  pastor, 
but  he  declined. 

The  amount  given  by  this  church  and  people  to  the  cause 
of  christian  benevolence  in  1853  was  f  143  89.  The  Sab- 
bath School  in  1852  numbered  85.  The  number  of  church 
members  in  1853  was  50.  This  church  the  present  year  is 
a  century  old.  It  has  had  a  settled  ministry  about  eighty- 
eight  years  and  a  half,  and  has  been  destitute  of  the  same 
about  eleven  years.     This  church  has  had  five  pastors. 

Pastors.  1.*  Rev.  Edward  Billings  was  installed  the 
first  pastor  of  this  church,  March  28,  1754.  Instead  of  a 
sermon  on  such  occasions  at  that  period,  the  charge  to  the 
pastor  often  took  its  place.  Rev.  Dr.  Jonathan  Edwards, 
senior,  then  of  Stockbridge,  the  moderator  of  the  council, 
gave  the  charge. 

In  August,  1753,  a  day  was  set  apart  for  fasting  and  prayer 
in  reference  to  the  choice  of  a  pastor,  and  several  of  the 
neighboring  ministers  were  present.  A  committee  was  also 
appointed  at  another  meeting,  to  take  advice  of  various 
ministers  with  respect  to  inviting  Mr.  Billings  to  settle  as 
their  minister.  The  first  council  for  the  settlement  of  Mr. 
Billings  was  convened  in  1753,  and  did  not  install  him.  On 
the  controverted  question  of  that  day  relative  to  qualifications 
for  admission  to  christian  ordinances,  Rev.  Mr.  Ashley,  of 
Deerfield,  and  Mr.  Billings  were  on  opposite  sides.  Mr. 
Ashley  being  invited  on  the  first  council  took  with  him  three 
delegates.  The  other  churches  sent  but  one  for  each  church. 
The  people  of  Greenfield,  who  called  the  council,  were  un- 
willing that  the  Deerfield  church  should  have  a  larger  repre- 
sentation in  the  council  than  the  other  churches.  The 
council  was  then  dissolved  ;  and  another  one  from  a  distance 
was  called,  that  installed  Mr.  Billings  as  stated  above.     The 


OF     GREENFIELD.  175 

doings  of  those  councils  were  published  in  a  pamphlet  at  the 
time,  and  are  still  extant. 

But  little  definite  information  relative  to  Mr.  Billings'  his- 
tory is  now  accessible.  It  is  supposed,  that  he  lived  in  early 
life  in  Sunderland,  and  perhaps  was  born  there.  He  gradu- 
ated at  Harvard  in  1731  ;  was  settled  as  pastor  at  Cold 
Spring,  (now  Belchertown)  probably  about  April,  1739,  and 
was  dismissed  from  there  in  1752;  preached  for  a  time  at  a 
place  called  Nine  Partners,  N.  Y. ;  and  died  while  a  pastor 
in  Greenfield,  not  far  from  1760  ;  but  as  there  is  no  church 
record  of  that  period  extant,  and  as  there  is  no  stone  to  mark 
the  spot  where  he  is  buried,  the  precise  date  of  his  death, 
and  his  age,  cannot  be  ascertained.  In  Doolittle's  Sketches 
of  Belchertown  his  death  is  dated  at  1757  :  and  in  the  Cata- 
logues of  Harvard  College  it  is  dated  at  1760.  The  settle- 
ment of  his  estate  in  the  probate  court  was  closed  in  August, 
1760.  He  is  said  to  have  died  suddenly,  having  preached 
on  the  preceding  Sabbath.  He  married  Miss  Lucy  Parsons, 
a  sister  of  Rev.  David  Parsons,  the  first  minister  of  Amherst, 
in  1741  ;  and  at  a  precinct  meeting  in  Belchertown,  October, 
1741,  it  was  voted,  that  money  should  be  raised  in  the  next 
rate  to  pay  the  cost  of  Mr.  Billings'  wedding.  He  left  four 
children  at  his  death,  whose  names  were  Edward,  Ebenezer, 
Jonathan,  and  Ethan.  His  son  Edward  was  once  licensed 
as  a  preacher,  of  whom  some  notice  is  given  in  the  account 
of  preachers  who  originated  from  Greenfield.  The  "  Genea- 
logical and  Historical  Register,"  vol.  2,  p.  178,  says,  that 
Mr.  Billings  was  '•  dismissed  from  Belchertown,  by  reason  of  a 
difference  in  opinion  between  him  and  a  majority  of  the 
church,  as  to  the  qualifications  for  church  membership  ;  Mr. 
Billings  having  embraced  the  opinions  of  President  Edwards, 
and  the  church  the  opinions  of  the  Rev.  Solomon  Stoddard 
of  Northampton,  on  this  subject."  Doolittle's  Sketches  of 
Belchertown  say,  "  Traditionary  history  imputes  to  him  un- 
usual energy  of  character,  ardent  zeal,  and  devotedness  to 
the  work  in  which  he  was  engaged."     Mr.  Billings  was  the 


176  CHURCHES      AND      MINISTERS 

minister  who  visited  David  Brainard  the  evening  before  his 
death,  to  whom  reference  is  made  in  Brainard's  Life,  p.  344. 
Mr.  Billings  was  on  the  councils  convened  in  President  Ed- 
wards' case  at  Northampton  ;  and  his  views  coincided  with 
the  President's,  and  he  was  not  in  favor  of  his  dismission. 
Mr.  Billings  wrote  his  name  without  an  s,  but  that  letter  is 
now  almost  invariably  added  to  the  name.  Some  of  his 
descendants  are  now  living  in  Greenfield.  Mr.  Billings'  re- 
mains were  interred  in  the  old  burying  ground  in  Greenfield, 
and,  it  is  supposed,  near  the  grave  of  Rev.  Dr.  Newton,  his 
successor.  Of  the  thirty-six  Congregational  pastors  of 
churches  in  Franklin  County,  who  have  been  buried  in  the 
county,  the  graves  of  only  ttvo,  Rev.  Mr.  McDowell,  of 
Coleraine,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Billings,  of  Greenfield,  are  without 
any  stone  erected,  or  in  progress  of  erection,  to  mark  the  spot. 
As  the  date  of  Mr.  Billings'  death  is  not  known,  the  length 
of  his  ministry  in  Greenfield  is  not  definitely  known,  but 
was  probably  about  six  years. 

2.*  Rev.  Roger  Newton,  D.  D.,  was  constituted  the 
second  pastor  of  this  church,  Nov.  IS,  1761.  He  was  born 
in  Durham,  Ct.,  May  23,  1737  ;  graduated  at  Yale  in  1758  ; 
studied  theology  with  Rev.  Mr.  Goodrich  of  Durham,  Ct.  ; 
was  married  to  Miss  Abigail  Hall  of  Middletown,  Ct.,  in 
August,  1762  ;  was  bereaved  of  his  wife  by  death,  Oct.  21, 
1805  ;  received  his  Doctorate  from  Dartmouth  in  1805.  Dr. 
Newton  had  eight  children.  His  daughter  Abigail  married 
Rev.  Nathaniel  Lambert,  and  his  eldest  son,  Roger,  died 
while  a  tutor  in  Yale  College,  Aug.  10,  1789.  Dr.  Newton 
died  Dec.  10,  1816,  aged  79.  Rev.  Dr.  Lyman  of  Hatfield 
preached  his  funeral  sermon.  The  following  is  an  extract 
from  the  obituary  notice  of  Dr.  Newton,  which  was  pub- 
lished in  the  Greenfield  "  Franklin  Herald,"  Dec.  24,  1816, 
and  also  in  the  "Panoplist,"  for  April,  1817:  '' This  ven- 
erable minister  of  Christ  consecrated  himself  to  his  Master's 
service  from  his  youth.  He  willingly  took  the  oversight  of 
this  people  when   they  were  feeble  and  few  in  number. 


OF     GREENFIELD.  177 

Under  his  ministry  they  have  greatly  increased,  and  become 
a  numerous  and  respectable  people.  His  care  was  to  feed 
them  with  gospel  truth,  and  to  nourish  their  souls  with  the 
great  saving  doctrines  of  free  sovereign  grace  in  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  His  public  discourses  were  well  studied,  sound, 
compact,  weighty,  and  full  of  useful  and  important  instruc- 
tion. An  attentive  and  willing  hearer  could  not  fail  of  being 
profited  and  made  better  by  his  labors.  While  he  had 
reason  to  praise  God  for  assisting  and  blessing  him  in  his 
ministry,  yet  for  wise  purposes,  God  saw  fit  to  afflict  and 
prove  him  by  some  heavy  domestic  trials  and  bereavements, 
under  which  he  was  supported  and  comforted  and  sanctified 
to  his  christian  and  ministerial  work.  Like  other  good  men 
under  the  chastisement  of  a  Father's  rod,  '  he  shone  brightest 
in  affliction's  night.'  '  Tribulation  wrought  in  him  pa- 
tience, experience,  and  a  hope  which  maketh  not  ashamed.' 
It  was  the  care  of  his  life,  to  make  the  providences  of  God 
subservient  to  the  improvement  of  his  mind  in  those  minis- 
terial gifts,  which  Avould  render  him  of  the  greatest  use  to 
the  people,  and  to  the  general  interest  of  the  church  of  Christ. 
He  studied  to  make  himself  approved  of  God,  '  a  workman 
who  needeth  not  to  be  ashamed  ;  rightly  dividing  the  word 
of  truth,  and  giving  to  every  man  his  portion  in  due  season.' 
A  man  of  uncommon  strength  of  mind,  and  of  discriminating 
powers,  and  richly  furnished  by  study  and  contemplation, 
he  held  an  eminent  rank  and  station  among  his  brethren  in 
the  ministry.  Much  employed  as  a  counsellor  and  guide  in 
cases  of  difficulty  and  ecclesiastical  discipline,  his  able  and 
pacific  labors  of  love  will  long  be  remembered  with  grati- 
tude and  thanksgiving  to  God,  not  only  by  the  people  of  his 
charge,  but  by  the  professors  of  Christ  in  the  neighboring 
churches.  A  friend  to  peace,  it  was  his  desire  and  labor 
'  that  brethren  should  dwell  together  in  unity.'  He  was  a 
burning  and  shining  light,  and  blessed  be  God  that  we  so 
long  rejoiced  in  his  light.  Nor  was  our  deceased  father  less 
distinguished  by  his  amiable  and  useful  talents  in  the  walks 
23 


178  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

of  private  life.  By  his  discreet  and  circumspect  deportment, 
the  urbanity  of  his  manners,  his  affectionate  and  affable  con- 
versation, he  never  failed  of  securing  the  love  and  esteem  of 
his  friends  and  acquaintances.  His  social  intercourse  was 
both  pleasing  and  profitable,  being  seasoned  with  the  salt  of 
wisdom  and  benevolence.  It  was  the  fault  of  those  who 
enjoyed  his  conversation,  if  they  left  him  without  improve- 
ment in  knowledge  and  goodness.  It  was  his  object,  by 
courtesy  and  kindness,  by  prudence  and  a  virtuous  example, 
to  cultivate  in  others  those  graces,  which  adorn  the  social 
and  christian  life  ;  and  to  enforce  on  their  minds  the  utility 
and  importance  of  those  practical  and  doctrinal  truths,  which 
be  inculcated  in  his  public  ministrations.  Great  was  the 
blessing  which  this  people  enjoyed,  in  having  a  minister  who 
enforced  the  precepts  and  doctrines  of  Christ,  by  the  living 
example  which  was  daily  set  before  them.  But  alas  !  from 
these  privileges,  both  of  a  public  and  private  nature,  a  holy 
God  hath  now  removed  them.  A  bereaved  church  and  con- 
gregation, and  an  extensive  circle  of  affectionate  friends,  as- 
sociates and  acquaintance,  are  now  called  to  bemoan  their 
loss,  and  to  go  to  Jesus  and  tell  him  their  grief,  and  to  pray 
to  him  that  he  would  be  to  them  a  repairer  of  this  breach 
and  restorer  of  paths  to  dwell  in.  The  ministers  of  Jesus, 
his  professhig  children,  and  those  who  love  the  prosperity  of 
Zion,  will  unite  their  voice  and  cry  after  him,  '  My  father, 
my  father,  the  chariots  of  Israel  and  the  horsemen  thereof!' 
It  hath  pleased  that  holy  and  faithful  God,  who  by  his  de- 
cree hath  fixed  to  all  men  the  bounds  of  their  habitation, 
beyond  which  they  cannot  pass,  to  call  off  his  servant  from 
the  trials  and  labors,  the  temptations  and  afflictions,  of  this 
empty  and  transitory  life,  and,  as  we  hope,  to  bring  him 
home  to  himself,  to  receive  the  rewards  of  a  faithful  servant, 
and  to  participate  in  the  nobler  employments  and  joys  of  a 
blessed  immortality.  Our  venerable  friend,  our  father  and 
guide,  after  a  few  years  of  gradual  decline,  and  after,  to  him, 
a  painful  period  of  suspense  from  his  active  public  labors. 


OF     GREENFIELD.'  179 

fell  asleep,  and  was  gathered  to  his  fathers,  in  the  SOth  year 
of  his  age,  and  the  56th  year  of  his  ministry." 

The  following  extracts  relative  to  Dr.  Newton  are  taken 
from  "  Willard's  History  of  Greenfield  : — "His  religious  char- 
acter was  far  from  that  of  the  bigot,  partisan,  or  zealot.  He 
possessed  great  mildness  and  equanimity  of  temper  and  man- 
ners ;  always  dignified,  and  appeared  among  his  people  like 
a  kind  father  among  his  children.  The  single  circumstance, 
that  the  town  enjoyed  peace  and  union  for  nearly  the  whole 
period  of  his  ministry,  fifty-six  years,  is  of  itself  strong  evi- 
dence of  his  virtue  and  prudence."  "  His  moderation  of 
manner,  conciseness  and  perspicuity  of  style ;  the  sound 
sense  of  his  sermons,  and  their  particular  brevity  in  cold 
weather,  (meeting-houses  had  no  stoves  in  those  days,)  as 
well  as  the  dignified  and  venerable  form  of  the  good  man, 
are  still  fresh  m  the  memory  of  many.  Consummate  pru- 
dence, caution  and  shrewdness  were  distinguishing  traits  in 
his  character.  His  prayers  in  public  worship  had  much  of 
sameness  and  formality,  yet  no  one  found  fai^lt  therewith ; 
they  were  seldom  varied,  except  on  particular  occasions,  yet 
he  was  always  pertinent,  and  on  many  occasions  remarkably 
so.  In  his  latter  days,  he  very  frequently  read,  for  the  choir 
to  sing,  the  Psalm  of  Watts,  commencing, 

'  Now  to  the  Lord,  a  noble  song,' 

the  reading  of  which  always  affected  him  to  tears." 

Many  interesting  anecdotes  are  current  in  the  community, 
illustrative  of  his  prudence,  caution,  and  sagacity.  He  fur- 
nished one  of  the  sermons  which  compose  the  volume  pub- 
lished by  the  "Northern  Association  of  Hampshire  County." 
Some  of  his  descendants  reside  in  Greenfield  and  vicinity. 
The  following  is  the  epitaph  on  his  gravestone,  viz.  : — "  His 
life  was  adorned  with  private  and  domestic  virtues,  and  dis- 
tinguished by  public  and  professional  usefulness."  He  had 
eight  children.  He  owned  one  slave,  called  Tenor,  at  whose 
funeral  the   Dr.   preached  a  sermon  commendatory  of  her 


ISO  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

virtues.     Dr.  Newton's  ministry  in  Greenfield  was  twenty- 
two  days  over  fifty-six  years. 

3.  Rev.  Gamaliel  S.  Olds  was  settled  as  the  third  pastor 
of  this  church,  Nov.  19,  1813,  and  the  sermon  was  preached 
by  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  Austin.  He  was  colleague  pastor  with 
Dr.  Newton  about  three  years,  and  was  dismissed  just  before 
the  Doctor's  death  in  1816.  The  first  council,  that  was 
called  for  the  settlement  of  Mr.  Olds  in  Greenfield,  met  with 
difficulties  in  their  course,  which  prevented  their  proceeding 
to  the  settlement  of  the  candidate.  Rev.  Dr.  Willard,  who 
had  been  settled  a  few  years  previously  in  Deerfield,  by  a 
Unitarian  council,  was  invited  and  took  his  seat  as  a  member 
of  the  council  in  Greenfield.  A  portion  of  the  council  ob- 
jected to  sitting  and  acting  with  him  under  such  circum- 
stances, on  the  ground,  that  they  believed  him  to  be  funda- 
mentally heretical  in  religious  sentiments,  and  that  to  unite 
with  him  in  an  Ecclesiastical  council,  Avould  constitute  an 
act  of  fellowship  with  him.  The  council  was  dissolved 
without  ordaining  Mr.  Olds.  Another  council  of  Orthodox 
sentiments  was  soon  convened,  by  whom  he  was  ordained. 
Mr.  Olds  was  born  in  Marlboro',  Yt.,  in  1777 ;  graduated  at 
Williams  in  1801 ;  was  a  tutor  in  that  college,  from  1803  to 
1805 ;  was  also  a  Professor  of  Mathematics  and  Natural  Phi- 
losophy in  the  same  college,  from  1806  to  1808  ;  was  a  pro- 
fessor of  the  same  branches  in  the  Vermont  University  at 
Burlington,  from  1819  to  1821 ;  was  a  professor  of  the  same 
branches  in  Amherst  College,  from  1821  to  1825  ;  afterwards 
resided  several  years  at  Saratoga  Springs,  N.  Y.,  and  was 
employed  in  teaching  in  several  places  in  New  York  ;  re- 
moved to  Circleville,  Ohio,  about  1842,  where  he  died.  He 
was  dismissed  from  Greenfield,  Oct.  31,  1816,  to  accept  a 
professorship  in  Middlebury  College ;  but  some  difficulty 
occurring  between  him  and  the  President  of  the  College,  he 
did  not  enter  upon  the  duties  of  the  office.  He  wrote,  and 
by  the  advice  of  Franklin  Association,  published  a  "  State- 
ment of  Facts"  in  the  case.     An  account  of  the  peculiar  cir- 


OF     GREENFIELD.  181 

cumstances  attending  his  settlement  in  Greenfield,  was  pub- 
lished soon  afterwards,  in  connection  with  an  account  of  the 
circumstances  attending  Rev.  Dr.  Willard's  ordination  in 
Deerfield,  several  years  previously,  in  a  series  of  pamphlets, 
written  by  different  authors. 

Mr.  Olds  died  at  Circleville,  Ohio,  June  13,  1848,  in  the 
71st  year  of  his  age.  The  following  obituary  of  him  was 
published  in  the  New  York  Observer,  which  was  written  by 
Rev.  Milton  A.  Sackett,  who  was  then  a  pastor  in  Circleville 
and  attended  his  funeral : — "  The  circumstances  attending 
his  death  were  peculiarly  painful  and  afflictive.  On  Satur- 
day, the  3d  of  June,  (1848)  he  left  home  for  the  purpose  of 
supplying  one  or  two  vacant  churches  in  the  town  of  Bloom- 
field,  about  twelve  miles  distant  from  Circleville.  There  he 
passed  the  Sabbath,  preaching  in  two  different  places,  and 
with  an  uncommon  degree  of  vigor  and  unction.  On  Mon- 
day morning,  in  the  enjoyment  of  his  usual  strength  and 
health,  he  started  for  home,  and  when  about  a  quarter  of  a 
mile  from  the  place  where  he  had  spent  the  night,  his  horse 
took  fright,  and  starting  to  the  side  of  the  road,  threw  him 
from  his  carriage  down  a  precipitous  bank,  a  distance  of  ten 
or  twelve  feet.  Two  of  his  ribs  were  broken,  and  he  expe- 
rienced other  severe  injuries.  He  was  taken  to  an  inn  about 
two  miles  distant  from  the  place  where  he  was  hurt,  on  the 
way  towards  home,  and  being  unable  to  proceed  further, 
was  left  there.  His  wife  was  sent  for,  and  eminent  phy- 
sicians were  immediately  called  in,  but  the  injury  could  not 
be  repaired.  He  lingered  in  great  pain  until  the  13th,  when 
his  peaceful,  resigned,  and  happy  spirit  parted  from  his  shat- 
tered tenement,  and  took  its  flight  to  the  invisible  world. 

"  Professor  Olds  was  one  of  the  great  men  of  the  age  in 
which  he  lived.  From  his  early  manhood  up  to  the  merid- 
ian of  his  days,  he  filled  a  brilliant  sphere  in  the  educational 
and  literary  history  of  New  England.  *  *  *  In  his  theolog- 
ical studies  he  was  a  pupil  of  Dr.  West  of  Stockbridge, 
Mass.,  but  completed  his  course  at  Andover  Seminary.     He 


182  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

was  settled  for  a  short  period  over  the  Congregational 
church  in  Greenfield,  Mass.  As  a  preacher,  his  manner  was 
not  attractive,  yet  his  style  was  beautifully  simple,  pure,  and 
lucid,  and  no  one  could  listen  to  him  without  being  struck 
with  the  strength  and  comprehensiveness  of  his  mind,  and 
the  logical  accuracy  with  which  he  dissected  and  developed 
his  subject.  He  was  eminently  instructive  both  in  preach- 
ing and  conversation,  and  though  his  themes  as  a  preacher, 
were  sufficiently  diversified,  yet  you  could  see  shining 
through  every  discourse,  like  beacon  lights,  the  great  cardi- 
nal principles  of  the  christian  faith.  These  lay  at  the  foun- 
dation of  his  own  rich  experience,  and  he  justly  appreciated 
their  importance,  as  constituting  the  only  true  and  inde- 
structible foundation  of  a  happy  and  fruitful  experience  to 
the  christian  church. 

"While  at  Amherst  College,  his  intense  application  and 
arduous  labors  induced  disease,  which  in  the  end  disquali- 
fied him  for  continuous  and  responsible  toil.  He  retired  from 
active  life,  and  for  many  years  has  been  known  only  to  a 
comparatively  small  circle  of  friends.  Yet  he  has  continued 
to  labor,  as  far  as  his  health  and  strength  would  permit,  in  the 
cause  of  his  Master,  lightening  the  burdens  that  rested  upon 
his  brethren,  by  preaching  in  their  stead,  and  often  supply- 
ing destitute  and  feeble  churches  with  the  ministration  of 
the  word  and  ordinances  of  the  gospel.  This  labor  he  has 
performed,  for  the  most  part,  without  compensation.  His 
last  work  was  of  this  character.  It  was  that  he  might 
preach  the  gospel  of  God's  grace  to  the  poor  and  destitute, 
that  he  left  his  beloved  companion,  and  that  dear  home  to 
which  he  never  returned.  But  the  gospel,  which  he  preached 
to  others,  was  found  to  be  an  adequate  solace  and  stay  to 
his  own  soul  in  the  trying  hour.  He  felt  himself  to  be  the 
chief  of  sinners,  yet  he  spake  with  the  deepest  interest  of  the 
atonement  and  righteousness  of  Christ,  as  being  the  only  and 
sufficient  ground  of  his  hope.  He  desired  no  other  refuge. 
Often  in  his  last  sickness  did  he  advert  to  this  great  doctrine, 


OF     GREENFIELD. 


183 


and  derive  from  it  the  most  abundant  consolation.  He  was 
much  in  prayer,  and  was  frequently  heard  to  say,  ''  The  will 
of  the  Lord  be  done."  His  last  hours  were  serene  and  peace- 
ful, and  he  fell  asleep  in  Christ,  in  the  blessed  expectation  of 
having  a  part  in  the  first  resurrection.  Thus  has  been  ex- 
tinguished one  of  the  most  gifted  and  richly  stored  minds  of 
the  age.  Its  acquisitions  were  varied  and  vast,  as  there  was 
scarcely  any  department  of  human  knowledge  with  which 
it  did  not  seem  familiar.  But  his  highest  eulogy  is  this,  that 
he  was  a  humble  follower  and  a  faithful  minister  of  the  Lord 
Jesus. 

"  His  companion  survives,  a  lonely,  stricken  widow.  She 
has  followed  all  her  children  to  the  grave, — three  in  infancy 
and  one  in  the  prime  of  manhood, — and  now  that  her  hus- 
band is  taken,  the  world  to  her  is  turned  into  a  dark  and 
desolate  wilderness.  But  this  is  her  joy,  that  the  Lord  reigns, 
and  she  looks  to  have  her  weary  pilgrimage  terminate  ere 
long  in  Heaven."  The  widow  of  Mr.  Olds  died  in  1851. 
In  1815  he  published  a  volume  of  eight  sermons  on  "  Epis- 
copacy and  Presbyterian  Parity."  His  ministry  in  Green- 
field was  about  three  years. 

4.  Rev.  Sylvester  Woodbridge  was  settled  as  fourth 
pastor  of  the  church,  April  23,  1817,  and  He  v.  Dr.  John 
Woodbridge  of  Hadley,  his  brother,  preached  the  sermon  ; 
and  he  was  dismissed  from  there,  April  17,  1823.  Mr.  Wood- 
bridge  was  born  in  Southampton,  Nov.  9,  1790 ;  graduated 
at  Williams  in  1813  ;  studied  theology  at  Andover  ,•  preached 
in  Ashfield  and  received  a  call  to  settle  there,  but  want  of 
unanimity  among  the  people  prevented  the  council,  which 
was  convened  Jan.  2,  1816,  from  proceeding  to  his  ordina- 
tion. After  leaving  Greenfield  he  was  installed  as  pastor  in 
Greenville,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  16,  1825,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Porter  of 
Catskill,  N.  Y.,  preached  the  sermon  ;  after  his  dismission 
from  Greenville,  about  1831,  he  labored  for  seven  years  as 
an  agent  of  the  American  Tract  Society  ;  then  labored  one 
year  as  an  agent  for  the  Auburn  Theological  Seminary ;  then 


184  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

supplied  about  six  years  a  church  in  Westhampton,  on  Long 
Island,  N.  Y. ;  served  two  years  as  an  agent  for  Oakland 
College,  in  Mississippi,  and  was  installed  as  pastor  of  the 
Second  Presbyterian  Church  in  New  Orleans,  La.,  Dec.  18, 
1852,  where  he  still  continues. 

The  farewell  sermon  he  preached  at  Ashfield,  after  the 
failure  of  the  council  to  ordain  him,  was  published.  During 
his  pastorate  at  Greenville,  N.  Y.,  he  requested  and  obtained 
an  ecclesiastical  investigation  of  certain  injurious  reports 
respecting  his  conduct  when  on  a  visit  at  Greenfield  ;  and 
the  Presbytery,  in  their  result,  say,  that  "  the  Presbytery 
were  unanimously  of  the  opinion  that  the  aforesaid  charges 
against  Mr.  Woodbridge  have  not  been  sustained."  Mr. 
Woodbridge  has  four  sons  in  the  ministry,  viz..  Rev.  John 
Woodbridge,  at  Saratoga  Springs,  N.Y. ;  Rev.  Jahleel  Wood- 
bridge,  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.  ;  Rev.  Sylvester  Woodbridge, 
Jr.,  at  Benicia,  California,  and  Rev.  Samuel  M.  Woodbridge, 
at  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  who  was  born  in  Greenfield,  and 
of  whom  some  account  is  given  in  the  sketch  of  ministers 
originating  from  Greenfield.  One  of  his  daughters  is  the 
wife  of  Rev.  Charles  Beach  of  Woodville,  Miss.,  at  which 
place  the  wife  of  Mr.  Woodbridge  died,  Nov.  19,  1851, 
aged  63.  Mr.  Woodbridge's  ministry  in  Greenfield  was 
about  six  years. 

After  the  dismission  of  Mr.  Woodbridge  from  Greenfield, 
in  1823,  the  church  was  destitute  of  a  settled  pastor  till 
1832 ;  and  during  a  considerable  portion  of  this  period  the 
desk  was  supplied  by  Rev.  Lincoln  Ripley  of  Maine,  Rev. 
Ebenezer  Halping  of  Vermont,  and  the  Revs.  Messrs.  Pack- 
ards  of  Shelburne. 

5.  Rev.  Amariah  Chandler,  D.  D.,  was  installed  as  the 
fifth  pastor  of  the  church,  Oct.  24,  1832,  and  Rev.  Bancroft 
Fowler  preached  the  sermon.  Dr.  Chandler  was  born  in 
Deerfield,  Oct.  27,  1782 ;  at  about  five  years  of  age  removed 
to  Shelburne,  where  he  lived  till  manhood  ;  graduated  at 
Burlington  in  1807  j   studied  theology  with  Dr.  Packard  of 


OF     GREENFIELD.  185 

Shelbimie  ;  was  ordained  as  pastor  in  Waitsfield,  Vt.,  Feb. 
7,  1810,  and  Rev.  Elijah  Lyman  of  Brookfield,  Vt.,  preached 
the  sermon ;  and  he  was  dismissed  from  there,  Feb.  3,  1830, 
and  then  supplied  in  Hardwick,  Vt.,  till  his  installation  in 
Greenfield.  He  received  his  doctorate  from  the  University 
of  Vermont  in  1846.  He  has  published  several  occasional 
sermons  and  addresses.  He  was  a  delegate  to  the  Massa- 
chusetts Convention  for  the  revision  of  the  State  Constitu- 
tion in  1853.  He  still  continues  a  pastor  at  Greenfield,  in 
the  twenty-second  year  of  his  ministry  there. 

Of  the  jive  pastors  of  this  church,  two  were  dismissed  ; 
two  are  now  living ;  and  the  average  length  of  their  pastor- 
ates in  Greenfield  was  about  eighteen  years  and  a  half. 

Second  Church.  The  second  Congregational  church  in 
Greenfield  was  organized  Jan.  15,  1817,  with  45  members. 
Its  first  and  present  Meeting-house  wvis  built  in  1819;  was 
remodeled  in  1843,  and  materially  repaired  in  1851.  Pre- 
vious to  the  erection  of  their  house  of  worship,  this  church 
and  society  held  worship  in  the  court-house,  and  were  sup- 
plied some  time  by  Rev.  Dan  Huntington,  who  was  then 
considered  an  Orthodox  minister.  Invitations  to  settle  over 
this  church  were  given  to  Rev.  Dr.  J.  A.  Albro,  Rev.  Dr. 
George  B.  Cheever,  and  Rev.  O.  E.  Daggett,  who  severally 
declined.  The  amount  given  by  this  church  and  people  to» 
the  cause  of  christian  benevolence,  in  1853,  was  ^453  22. 
The  Sabbath  School,  in  1851,  numbered  145.  The  number 
of  church  members  in  1853  was  181.  A  council  was  called: 
by  this  church  to  settle  difiiculties,  in  the  spring  of  1824. 
This  church  has  been  organized  thirty-seven  years,  and  has 
had  a  settled  ministry  about  twenty-five  years,  and  has  been 
destitute  of  the  same  about  twelve  years.  This  church  has 
had  seven  pastors. 

Pastors.      1.*    Rev,    Charles   Jenkins   was  ordained  as 
the  first  pastor  of  this  church.  May  19,  1820,  and  was  dis- 
missed from  there  in  July,  1824.     Mr.  Jenkins  was  born  in 
Barre,  Aug.  28,  1786;  graduated  at  Williams  in  1813;  was 
24 


1S6  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

a  tutor  in  the  same  college,  from  1816  to  1819;  after  his 
dismission  from  Greenfield,  was  installed  pastor  in  Portland, 
Me.,  Nov.  9,  1825,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  S.  E. 
Dwight.  After  his  graduation,  he  taught  the  Academy  in 
Westfield  several  years  ;  studied  theology  in  Williamstown  ; 
was  licensed  in  1819,  by  the  Berkshire  Association.  In 
1824,  while  a  pastor  in  Greenfield,  an  Ecclesiastical  Council 
was  called  to  investigate  charges  brought  against  him  by  a 
part  of  the  people  of  his  parish,  chiefly  those  who  were 
shortly  afterwards  organized  into  a  Unitarian  society  in  that 
place ;  and  Mr.  Jenkins  was  honorably  acquitted ;  and  was 
soon  dismissed  according  to  a  mutual  agreement  between 
himself  and  his  people. 

The  American  (Quarterly  Register,  vol.  10,  p.  270,  says 
of  him  :  "  At  the  time  of  his  death,  he  was  one  of  the  ablest 
ministers  in  New  England.  He  possessed  an  original  and 
extremely  fertile  mind.  With  a  rich  poetical  imagination, 
he  invested  every  subject  in  beauty  and  freshness.  Some- 
times, perhaps,  he  failed  in  simplicity  of  style,  and  in  adapt- 
ing his  method  of  instruction  sufliciently  to  the  understand- 
mgs  of  minds  less  elevated  than  his  own.  He  was  a 
powerful  extempore  speaker,  though  he -chose  generally  to 
write  out  his  sermons  in  full.  He  had  great  simplicity  of 
aim  and  seriousness  of  manner,  and  the  humility  of  a  little 
child.  He  was  uncommonly  faithful  as  a  preacher,  and  as 
a  reprover  of  what  he  thought  was  wrong  in  his  brethren. 
Some  of  his  miscellaneous  papers  are  inserted  in  the  early 
volumes  of  the  Christian  Spectator.  He  published  three 
sermons  on  the  Sabbath,  with  Remarks  on  the  Report  in 
Congress  on  Sabbath  Mails,  1830;  also  a  sermon  on- the  el- 
evated nature  of  true  Piety,  in  the  National  Preacher,  De- 
cember, 1831.  A  small  volume  of  his  sermons  has  been 
published  since  his  death. 

His  first  wife,  who  was  Miss  Ruth  Benjamin  of  Williams- 
town,  died  while  he  was  a  pastor  in  Greenfield ;  and  his 
second  wife  was  a  daughter  of  Hon.   Jonathan  Leavitt  of 


OF    GREENFIELD.  187 

Greenfield.  Mr.  Jenkins  died  while  a  pastor  in  Portland, 
Me.,  snddenly,  of  influenza,  Dec.  29,  1831,  aged  45.  His 
grave  is  near  that  of  Rev.  Dr.  Edward  Payson's,  whose 
funeral  sermon  he  preached ;  and  his  pyramidal  monument 
very  similar  to  that  of  Dr.  Payson's,  on  which  is  this 
epitaph  :   "  The  memory  of  the  just  is  blessed." 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  obituary  notice  of 
Mr.  Jenkins,  published  in  the  Christian  Mirror,  and  copied 
into  the  Boston  Recorder: — "We  have  been  called  to  an- 
nounce no  death  since  that  of  the  beloved  and  venerated 
Payson,  with  so  oppressive  a  sense  of  the  loss  which  has 
been  sustained  by  Congregational  ministers  and  churches  in 
Maine.  It  is  not  merely  the  importance  of  his  location, 
which  gave  a  wide  scope  to  his  influence,  nor  his  agency  in 
the  prominent  measures  for  enlightening  and  saving  our  pop- 
ulation and  the  world,  which  constitute  the  severity  of  the 
bereavement ;  but  the  kind  of  influence  which  he  exerted, 
and  the  distinguishing  characteristics  of  his  mind.  In  a 
promiscuous  assembly,  or  a  congregation  to  whom  he  was  a 
stranger,  he  was,  perhaps,  less  popular  than  hundreds  of  far 
inferior  mental  and  moral  worth;  but  with  his  intimate  ac- 
quaintance, and  his  stated  and  constant  hearers,  he  deserv- 
edly stood  without  any  rival. 

"  His  mind  was,  preeminently,  of  an  original  cast.  His 
thoughts  were  his  own — were  shaped  by  his  own  reflections 
— were  associated  in  his  mind  by  laws  in  some  respects  pe- 
culiar to  himself,  and  were  exhibited  in  language  of  great 
richness,  strength,  and  beauty.  His  mind  was  amazingly 
fertile.  He  had  no  beaten  track — no  hackneyed  topics — no 
worn  out  figures — no  favorite  forms  of  expression — no  ste- 
reotyped phrases  to  be  scattered  through  every  performance, 
and  by  their  perpetual  recurrence  to  lull  attention  and  anni- 
hilate interest.  No  one  was  further  removed  than  he,  from 
the  too  common  habit  of  falling  into  the  same  train  of 
thought,  and  the  same  method  of  illustration,  whatever  were 
the  topic  with  which  he  set  out.     When  he  raised  his  voice 


ISS  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

in  supplication  to  the  Father  of  spirits,  no  fellow-worshipper 
could  anticipate  the  form  or  the  matter  of  the  next  petition. 
When  he  named  his  text,  no  hearer  could  anticipate  the 
mode  of  treatment  which  it  was  to  receive  ;  and  no  one  in  . 
the  issue  had  reason  to  be  dissatisfied.  The  first  sentence 
of  the  introduction  arrested  the  attention,  and  put  the  minds 
of  hearers  into  a  posture  of  inquiry,  from  which  they  were 
soon  relieved  by  the  development  of  a  truth  or  principle, 
then  evidently  involved  in  the  text,  but  which,  till  then,  not 
one  in  ten,  probably,  had  ever  recognized.  The  illustration 
of  this  principle  was  attended  in  the  minds  of  kis  auditory 
with  the  same  process  of  attention,  inquiry,  conviction. 
There  was  a  freshness,  an  unlocked  for  range  of  thought  or 
mode  of  reasoning,  in  most  of  his  discourses,  which  regaled 
the  mind,  at  the  same  time  that  they  commended  the  truth 
to  every  man's  conscience,  and  imparted  intenser  ardor  to 
all  the  holy  affections.  Still  there  was  no  straining  after 
novelties,  or  unusual  modes  of  expression.  In  him  was  no 
affectation,  no  extravagance — all  was  the  spontaneous  off- 
spring of  his  mental  structure  and  intellectual  habits.  A 
rich  poetical  fancij,  with  which  he  was  endued,  contributed 
much  to  that  'infinite  variety'  of  mental  resources,  which  he 
had  ever  at  command.  But  the  vigor  of  his  intellect  was 
exceeded  by  no  other  quality.  He  seemed  adequate  to  any 
mental  achievement  within  the  range  of  human  possibility. 
He  could  seize  a  subject  with  a  giant's  grasp,  and  especially 
any  appertaining  to  the  philosophy  of  mind  or  to  his  profes- 
sion, and  analyze  it  with  the  skill  of  a  master,  and  point  out 
its  relations  and  uses  with  the  clearness  of  light.  Though 
he  was  a  diligent  student  and  composed  his  sermons  with 
much  care,  he  could  yet  answer  any  unexpected  call,  with- 
out special  preparation.  The  most  powerful  efforts,  those  in 
which  the  most  overwhelming  effects  were  produced  on  his 
auditory,  have  been,  in  several  instances,  those  when  he 
spoke  on  a  sudden  emergency,  when  the  circumstances  of 
the  case   have   precluded  all   premeditation.     Here   too   he 


OF     GREENFIELD.  189 

used  the  same  dignified  style  of  utterance,  the  same  ele- 
vated, bold,  striking,  select,  and  forcible  language,  which 
characterized  his  written  compositions. 

"He  had  great  simplicity  of  aim  ;  and  seemed  determined 
to  know,  and  to  make  known,  nothing  save  Jesus  Christ  and 
him  crucified.  This  was  the  great  business  which  absorbed 
his  soul ;  and  with  so  rare  a  combination  of  qualities  for  ex- 
erting a  moral  power,  no  wonder  that  he  was  successful, 
especially  as  the  Lord  wrought  with  him.  He  was  one  of 
those  men,  who  are  raised  up  for  the  church  universally — 
receiving  little  except  from  God,  but  imparting  much  in 
every  circle  with  which  he  mingled,  and  particularly  to  his 
ministering  brethren,  by  which  the  prosperity  of  the  church 
is  advanced.  This  wide  reach  of  his  influence  was  very 
justly  recognized  in  a  sermon  by  the  pastor  of  a  neighboring 
church,  the  last  Sabbath,  who,  in  allusion  to  Mr.  Jenkins' 
death,  observed:  'A  servant  of  Christ  is  gone,  at  whose  loss 
we  have  cause  to  exclaim.  Help,  Lord,  for  the  godly  man 
ceaseth.  It  is  doing  injustice  to  no  one,  to  say,  that  no 
death  could  have  given  us  reason  to  feel  more  deeply  af- 
flicted. His  industry  shamed  the  slothfulness  of  his  breth- 
ren ;  his  unbending  integrity  was  a  safeguard  to  all  the 
measures  of  the  church ;  his  wisdom  kept  us  from  extrava- 
gances. The  gigantic  stature  of  his  mind  and  the  singleness 
of  his  purpose  to  serve  Christ,  gave  him  irresistible  control. 
An  influence  is  lost,  which  readied  to  every  interest  of  the 
church  in  this  region,  reached  every  professed  follower  of 
Christ  and  every  sinner.'  There  is  truth  in  this  testimony, 
which  will  yet  be  felt  more  deeply.  He  was  a  man  who 
could  not  fail  to  leave  a  deep  impression  on  minds  that  came 
in  contact  with  his  own  ;  an  impression  sometimes  painful, 
but  always  beneficial. 

"He  possessed  the  humility  of  a  little  child.  His  noble 
and  majestic  form,  erect  walk,  and  commanding  aspect 
might  have  marked  him  out  to  a  stranger  as  one  of  nature's 
nobility,  not  to  be  approached  by  ordinary  men ;  but  in  all 


190  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

who  enjoyed  personal  intercourse  with  him,  these  feelings 
of  awe  and  distance  yielded  to  love  and  confidence.  A  con- 
descending benignity,  a  glowing,  hearty  benevolence  soft- 
ened or  annihilated  the  more  forbidding  traits,  and  exhibited 
him  in  the  character  of  a  brother,  with  a  heart  tremblingly 
alive  to  all  the  tender  sympathies  appertaining  to  this  rela- 
tion. He  was  a  man  Ioav  in  his  own  eyes,  'less  than  the 
least  of  all  saints.'  Unequivocal  evidences  of  this  were  con- 
tinually developing  themselves.  It  is  but  a  few  weeks  since, 
that,  when  sitting  on  a  council  for  the  organization  of  a 
church,  the  candidates  having  been  examined  and  retired, 
the  moderator  inquired  of  each  member  of  the  council, 
whether  he  was  satisfied  with  the  evidences  of  experimental 
piety  exhibited  by  the  candidates.  When  the  question  came 
to  Mr.  Jenkins,  he  raised  his  head,  which  had  been  reclined 
in  deep  reflection,  and  replied  with  affecting  solemnity,  'I 
think  it  more  probable  that  they  will  go  to  heaven,  than  that 
I  shall.'  During  the  whole  process  he  had  evidently  been 
applying  to  himself  the  questions  and  tests  of  christian  char- 
acter, which  were  brought  forward  in  the  course  of  the  ex- 
amination. The  truth  is,  he  had  overwhelming  views  of 
human  guilt,  and  of  his  own,  as  a  member  of  the  human 
family.  Besides,  his  standard  of  christian  character  was  un- 
usually elevated. 

"He  was  di  faithful  preacher.  He  not  only  declared  the 
whole  counsel  of  God,  but  he  did  it  in  a  manner  the  most 
clear  and  discriminating.  His  sermons  v/ere  searching  be- 
yond description.  O,  how  did  he  unmask  the  hypocrite, 
'disguise  himself  as  he  would;'  how  rend  away  the  false 
refuges,  beneath  which  sinners  entrench  themselves;  how 
trace  and  expose  the  windings  and  deceits  of  the  human 
heart;  how  show  transgressors  their  ways!  He  brought  the 
torch  of  truth  as  it  were  into  the  sinner's  soul,  that  he  might 
see  his  condition  and  character  in  the  sight  of  God.  Sinners 
trembled — they  often  complained,  that  the  preacher  was 
harsh  and  severe  ;  and  finding  that  there  was  no  peace  to 


OF     GREENFIELD.  101 

the  wicked  in  the  presence  of  such  a  reprover,  sometimes 
left  his  ministration,  by  which  their  consciences  were  so 
greatly  disturbed,  and  probably  are  now  in  tlie  condition  of 
the  man  among  the  tombs,  'seeking  rest  and  findhig  none.' 
Christians,  too,  under  his  preaching  were  often  brought  into 
doubt  of  themselves,  and  led  to  examine  anew  the  founda- 
tion of  their  hope  ;  but  on  the  review  they  have  reason  to 
say,  'Faithful  are  the  wounds  of  a  friend.'  *  *  *  His  stahil- 
ity  and  unrompj^omising  integi-ity  were  as  remarkable  as  any 
qualities  which  he  exhibited ;  and  never  perhaps  has  a  day 
risen  upon  the  church  of  Christ,  when  these  traits  in  tiie 
character  of  his  ambassadors  were  more  desirable."  Mr.  Jen- 
kins' ministry  in  Greenfield  was  about  four  years. 

2.  Rev.  William  C.  Fowler  was  settled  as  the  second 
pastor  of  this  church,  Aug.  31,  1825,  and  the  sermon  was 
preached  by  Rev.  Professor  Fitch  of  Yale  College  ;  and  he 
was  dismisood  from  there,  Oct.  24,  1827.  Mr.  Fowler  was 
born  in  Killingworth,  Ct.,  in  1793,  and  passed  his  early  life 
in  Durham,  Ct.  ;  graduated  at  Yale  in  1816;  studied  theology 
at  New  Haven,  Ct.  ;  was  a  tutor  in  Yale  College,  from  1819 
to  1823 ;  after  leaving  Greenfield,  was  a  Professor  of  Chem- 
istry and  Natural  History  in  Middlebury  College,  from  1828 
to  1838  ;  was  a  Professor  of  Rhetoric  and  Oratory  in  Am- 
herst College,  from  1838  to  1843  ;  published  a  work  entitled 
"  The  English  Language  in  its  Elements  and  Forms;"  was 
a  representative  from  Amherst  to  the  State  Legislature  in 
1851 ;  visited  Europe  in  1852 ;  married  Mrs.  Harriet  Web- 
ster Cobb,  daughter  of  Noah  Webster,  in  1826,  who  died  in 
1844.  Mr.  Fowler  still  resides  at  Amherst.  His  ministry 
in  Greenfield  was  about  two  years. 

3.  Rev.  Caleb  S.  Henry,  D.  D.,  was  ordained  as  the  third 
pastor  of  this  church.  Jan.  21,  1829,  and  the  sermon  was  by 
Rev.  Dr.  William  B.  Sprague  ;  and  he  was  dismissed  from 
there,  Dec.  12,  1831.  Dr.  Henry  was  born  in  Rutland  in 
1804 ;  pursued  classical  studies  for  some  time  at  Amherst 
College,  but   graduated  at  Dartmouth  in  1825 ;  studied  the- 


192  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

ology  both  at  Andover  and  New  Haven  ;  after  leaving 
Greenfield  spent  about  two  years  at  Cambridge  ;  installed 
colleague  pastor  with  Rev.  Dr.  Nathan  Perkins  in  West 
Hartford,  Ct.,  May  12,  1833  ;  dismissed  from  there  in  the 
Spring  of  1835  ;  in  June  1835  was  organized  as  a  minister  in 
the  Episcopal  Church  ;  from  1835  to  1837  was  a  professor  of 
Moral  and  Intellectual  Philosophy  in  Bristol  College,  Penn. ; 
from  1838  to  1852  was  a  professor  of  the  same  branches  in 
the  New  York  University,  and  during  this  time  was  for  five 
years  assistant  minister  in  the  St.  John's  Church,  Brooklyn, 
N.  Y.,  and  for  three  years  was  rector  of  the  St.  Clement's 
Church,  New  York ;  in  1851  from  failure  of  health  retired 
from  public  service,  and  now  resides  at  Oakwood  Hill,  near 
Belleville,  N.  J.  His  doctorate  was  conferred  upon  him  by 
Geneva  College  in  1838.  He  has  edited  several  publica- 
tions, and  published  various  works.  His  ministry  in  Green- 
field was  nearly  three  years. 

4.  Rev.  Thomas  Bellows  Avas  ordained  as  the  fourth 
pastor  of  this  church,  March  12,  1833,  and  the  sermon  was 
by  Rev.  Dr.  Noah  Porter  of  Farmington,  Ct.  ;  and  he  was 
dismissed  from  there,  Sept.  2,  1834.  Mr.  Bellows  was  born 
in  Walpole,  N.  H.,  Sept.  23,  1807;  graduated  at  Dartmouth 
in  1827  ;  studied  theology  at  Andover  and  New  Haven  ;  after 
leaving  Greenfield  preached  a  year  and  a  half  at  Lunenburg  ; 
and  since  then  has  been  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  in 
Walpole,  N.  H.,  where  he  still  resides.  Mr.  Bellows  was 
never  married.  His  ministry  in  Greenfield  was  about  one 
year  and  a  half. 

5.*  Rev.  Samuel  Washburn  was  settled  as  the  fifth  pastor 
of  this  church,  Aug.  2,  1837,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev. 
Dr.  John  Todd  ;  and  he  was  dismissed  from  there,  Nov.  23, 
1841.  Mr.  Washburn  was  born  in  Minot,  Me.,  Jan.  1,  1807  ; 
and  lived  for  a  short  time  in  Connecticut,  and  New  York 
city,  but  returned  at  six  years  of  age  to  his  former  home. 
He  pursued  classical  studies  at  the  Academies  in  Hebron  and 
Gorham,  Me.     He  began  his  studies  with  reference  chiefly 


OF     GREENFIELD.  193 

to  the  profession  of  the  law.  In  1826  he  hopefully  experi- 
enced religion,  and  turned  his  attention  at  once  to  the 
ministry.  He  never  graduated  at  any  college,  but  received 
an  honorary  A.  M.  from  Amherst  College  in  1839.  He  pur- 
sued theological  studies  at  Princeton  and  at  Andover.  He 
was  licensed  by  the  Andover  Association,  in  April,  1832 ; 
preached  for  a  time  in  Amesbury  and  Salisbury,  and  Essex 
Street  Church,  Boston.  A  haemorrhage  of  the  lungs  induced 
him  to  spend  the  winter  of  1833-4  in  the  South  and  South- 
west. In  1834,  he  preached  some  in  Philadelphia,  New 
York,  Norwich,  and  New  Haven,  and  again  bled  at  the 
lungs.  In  1835,  he  labored  in  the  service  of  the  American 
Sunday  School  Union,  and  gathered  a  Congregational  church 
in  Philadelphia.  On  the  10th  of  July,  1835,  he  married  Miss 
Hannah  J.  Marland  of  Andover,  who  died,  March  23,  1845. 
While  a  pastor  at  Greenfield,  returning  ill  health  constrained 
him  to  seek  a  release  from  pastoral  labor,  and  to  try  the 
effect  of  a  voyage  across  the  ocean.  His  dismission  from 
Greenfield  took  place  by  the  agency  of  an  Ecclesiastical 
Council  after  he  had  entered  upon  this  voyage. 

Mr.  Washburn  died  in  the  city  of  New  York,  Sept.  15, 
1853,  in  his  47th  year.  A  discourse  was  preached  on  the 
occasion  of  his  death,  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  Oct.  9,  1853,  by 
his  friend  and  fellow-student.  Rev.  Dr.  Edwin  F.  Hatfield 
of  New  York,  which  was  published,  and  from  which  the 
following  extract  is  taken,  viz. : — 

"  A  visit  to  Europe  having  been  advised  for  his  restoration 
to  health,  he  left  his  native  land  in  October,  1841,  and  re- 
mained abroad  until  June,  1842.  The  results  of  his  inqui- 
ries and  observations  were  given  to  the  public  in  a  series  of 
communications,  published  in  the  'New-England  Puritan.' 
On  his  return  he  entered  into  the  service  of  the  Foreign 
Evangelical  Society,  and  became  for  a  short  season  a  resident 
of  the  city  of  New  York.  Another  visit  was  made  to  Europe, 
in  company  with  his  wife,  in  April,  1843.  They  returned 
in  the  following  August,  with  his  own  health  much  im- 
25 


194  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

proved.  After  his  return,  he  preached  at  Nantucket  for  a 
few  Sabbaths,  and  then  accepted  a  call  from  the  Central 
Congregational  Church  of  Fall  River,  Mass.,  where  he  was 
installed  April  26th,  1844.  His  venerable  father  died  in 
October  of  the  same  year;  and,  on  the  23d  of  March, 
1845.  it  pleased  God  to  sunder  the  happy  bonds  of  matri- 
monial fellowship,  by  the  removal,  after  a  lingering  and  pain- 
ful illness,  to  a  better  world,  of  her  whose  love  had  shed  so 
much  light  on  his  pathway  through  this  present  world. 
Thus  bereaved  and  desolate,  he  struggled  on  through  a 
ministry  extending  over  a  period  of  five  years,  honored  and 
beloved  by  his  people,  exerting  a  wide  and  happy  influence 
over  the  young  especially,  and  highly  respected  beyond  the 
bounds  of  his  own  congregation  ;  when  he  was  constrained 
to  seek  a  dismission  from  his  pastoral  charge. 

"  For  a  period  of  about  two  years,  he  continued  to  preach 
without  any  particular  charge,  supplying  the  pulpits  of  his 
brethren  in  the  cities  of  New  York,  Brooklyn,  New  Haven, 
and  Norwich,  and  in  several  other  places,  principally  in  New 
England,  wherever  the  hand  of  Providence  conducted  him, 
finding  in  the  meantime  a  welcome  home,  in  the  intervals  of 
service,  at  the  house  of  his  sister,  Mrs.  Jacob  Bell,  in  the  city 
of  New  York. 

"In  June,  1851,  having  declined  very  urgent  calls  to  at 
least  two  other  churches  in  New  York  city,  he  accepted  an 
invitation  to  become  the  associate  of  the  Rev.  James  G. 
Hamner,  D.D.,  in  the  pastoral  charge  of  the  Fifth  Presby- 
terian Church  of  the  city  of  Baltimore,  Md.,  and  was  in- 
stalled by  the  Presbytery  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  Nov. 
2,  1851.  By  the  resignation  of  Dr.  Hamner,  Aug.  8,  1852, 
he  remained  the  sole  pastor  of  the  church.  Here — as  you, 
beloved,  so  well  know — he  accomplished  a  great  and  ardu- 
ous work.  He  secured  the  confidence  of  the  whole  congre- 
gation ;  drew  around  him  a  devoted  band  of  admiring  friends  ; 
by  a  judicious,  prudent,  and  persevering  system  of  measures, 
in  which  he  was  generously  sustained,  procured  a  large  re- 


OF     GREENFIELD.  195 

duction  of  the  indebtedness  of  the  society  ;  united  the  vari- 
ous shades  of  opinion  in  the  congregation  together,  and  suc- 
ceeded in  the  banishment  of  the  spirit  of  contention  and 
jealousy  ;  while  by  his  pulpit  ministrations  he  attracted  many 
to  the  house  of  worship,  and  commended  himself  '  to  every 
man's  conscience  in  the  sight  of  God,'  winning  some  to  the 
obedience  of  the  truth,  and  commanding  the  respect  of  all. 
Already  had  he  acquired  a  high  reputation  as  a  citizen,  a 
christian,  a  scholar,  a  preacher,  and  a  pastor,  among  all 
classes  and  denominations  in  the  Monumental  City.  They 
had  learned  greatly  to  respect  him,  and  highly  to  prize  him 
as  a  distinguished  ornament  to  their  ministry.  Seldom  has 
a  ministry  of  two  short  years  accomplished  so  much,  and  so 
perfectly  united  a  people  in  their  pastor, 

"  The  deep  and  ardent  affection  of  his  congregation  found 
a  most  painful  expression,  when  it  pleased  God  to  visit  him, 
on  Thursday,  the  twelfth  day  of  May  last,  with  a  suffusion 
of  blood  upon  the  brain,  consequent  upon  an  affection  of  the 
heart.  During  the  three  or  four  days  of  unconsciousness 
which  ensued,  the  city  seemed  to  be  moved  with  apprehen- 
sion of  an  approaching  disaster.  Pastors  and  their  people 
expressed  their  united  sympathy  in  terms  of  genuine  friend- 
ship, that  aided  much  in  his  temporary  restoration. 

But  his  disease  was  of  a  nature  not  to  be  trifled  with. 
The  entire  suspension  of  his  labors  was  imperiously  demanded, 
and  the  absence  for  a  considerable  period  of  all  mental  ex- 
citement. He  left  his  home  in  June,  to  return  to  it  no  more. 
A  brief  visit  to  New  York,  Boston,  and  Sharon  Springs,  ap- 
peared to  be  of  at  least  temporary  benefit  to  his  health.  He 
made  his  arrangements  to  return  to  Baltimore  about  the  last 
of  June  for  a  short  visit ;  and  was  on  his  way,  when  he  heard, 
in  the  city  of  New  York,  of  the  sudden  and  most  afflictive 
decease  at  Boston  of  his  brother's  youthful  wife,  whom  he 
had  learned,  on  his  recent  visit  there  especially,  greatly  to 
admire  and  love.  The  shock  was  a  severe  trial  to  his  health. 
He  changed  his  course,  and  accompanied  his  sister  to  Boston 


196  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

on  the  mournful  errand  of  sympathy  and  affection.  It  was 
more  than  his  system  could  bear.  Again  his  brain  reeled, 
and  prostration  ensued.  He  recovered  sufficiently  to  return 
to  the  city  of  New  York,  and  then  to  repeat  his  visit  to 
Sharon  Springs,  where  he  arrived  on  the  5th  of  July.  On 
the  12th  he  was  again,  and  with  still  greater  severity,  struck 
down  by  the  fatal  disorder  which  had  seized  upon  him. 
Friends  hastened  to  him,  and  watched  for  weeks  by  his  side, 
during  the  long  and  alarming  paroxysms  of  the  disease. 

''  He  had  so  far  recovered  on  the  first  week  of  August,  as 
to  be  able  to  retrace  his  steps,  with  his  sister,  who  had  not 
left  him  for  three  weeks,  and  to  reach,  on  the  first  of  the 
month,  the  beautiful  residence  of  Samuel  E.  Lyon,  Esq.,  at 
White  Plains,  N.  Y.,  where  his  city  friends  were  spending 
the  summer  season.  With  the  exception  of  a  short  visit  to 
Long  Branch,  N.  J.,  where  he  had  a  repetition  of  paralysis, 
he  remained  at  White  Plains  until  the  morning  of  the  9th  of 
September.  On  the  9th  of  August  it  was  my  mournful  priv- 
ilege to  spend  a  few  hours  with  him  in  his  quiet  rural  retreat, 
and  to  witness  the  change  that  had  already  taken  place  in 
his  noble  mind.  I  found  him  perfectly  conscious  of  his  con- 
dition, and  deeply  saddened  by  it.  He  spoke  of  his  inca- 
pacity of  mental  action  with  deep  emotion.  He  could 
scarcely  endure  the  thought  of  being  continued  for  months 
and  years  in  a  state  of  intellectual  imbecility.  He  would 
speak  of  it  at  times  as  filling  him  with  horror.  The  thought 
of  death  was  pleasant.  He  had  no  fears  of  dying.  He  re- 
lied fully  and  hopefully  on  the  Saviour.  He  rather  wished 
and  longed  for  death.  '  If  it  please  God,'  he  said  to  his 
sister  a  few  days  previous  to  his  last  attack,  '  to  subject  me 
to  another  such  visitation,  I  pray  God  that  he  would  take  me 
to  himself.' 

"  Feeble,  however,  as  he  was,  and  unable  to  take  sufficient 
care  of  himself,  it  was  remarkable  that  he  could  not  shake 
off  the  care  of  his  beloved  church.  Again  and  again  did  he 
consult  with  myself  for  their  supply,  when  we  met  repeat- 


OF     GREENFIELD.  197 

edly  at  my  own  house  at  New  York,  in  June.  And  when  I 
saw  him  at  White  Plains,  still  all  his  thoughts  appeared  to 
run  in  that  channel.  We  took  counsel  together  in  their  be- 
half. '  If  I  could  only  see  them  well  cared  for,  and  provided 
with  a  suitable  pastor,  I  should  be  satisfied,'  he  observed.  It 
appeared  to  be  almost  his  only  care.  A  Sabbath  or  two  be- 
fore his  last  attack,  in  conversation  about  his  future  prospects, 
after  a  short  pause,  he  observed  :  '  If  I  only  had  some  one  to 
gather  the  lambs  of  the  flock  together,  and  keep  the  sheep 
from  being  scattered  !'  In  the  midst  of  the  stupor  of  his  last 
illness,  when  he  seemed  to  be  lying  perfectly  unconscious, 
the  word  ^Baltimore,''  casually  pronounced,  instantly  aroused 
him.  His  last  thoughts  apparently  were  of  you,  his  beloved 
people. 

"On  the  morning  of  Friday,  the  9th  of  September,  after 
the  manifestation  of  unusual  sprightliness  on  the  previous 
day,  in  anticipation  partly  of  his  return  to  New  York  city, 
he  was  found  to  have  been  visited  by  a  paralysis  of  the 
throat  and  other  organs  of  speech,  so  as  to  be  utterly  in- 
capable of  articulation  and  deglutition.  He  was  brought  to 
the  city  of  New  York  by  the  first  train  of  cars,  and  placed 
under  the  care  of  some  of  the  most  eminent  medical  prac- 
titioners of  the  city,  but  without  avail.  I  saw  and  prayed 
with  him  on  the  morning  of  his  last  Sabbath  on  earth,  when 
I  found  him  sensible  but  speechless.  He  continued  to  sink 
under  the  pressure  of  his  disease  until  Thursday,  the  15th  of 
September,  when,  at  six  o'clock  in  the  morning,  his  wish 
and  prayer  were  granted,  his  earthly  labors  and  conflicts 
brought  to  an  end,  and  his  burdened  spirit  was  received  into 
rest.  On  the  afternoon  of  the  following  day,  after  a  solemn 
funeral  service,  at  which  several  of  his  brethren  and  former 
companions  in  study  were  present,  his  remains  were  taken 
to  Andover;  the  sad  funeral  train  being  increased  at  Fall 
River  by  the  addition  of  several  of  the  people  of  his  former 
charge ;  and  his  body  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  rural  graveyard 
where  repose  the  remains  of  his  deceased  wife." 


198  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

As  illustrative  of  the  fearlessness,  independence,  and  de- 
cision of  Mr.  Washburn,  the  following  incident  is  related. 
On  one  occasion,  during  his  ministry  in  Greenfield,  the 
choir  of  his  congregation  declined  to  sing  after  he  had  read 
the  hymn.  After  waiting  a  short  time  he  arose  and  remarked 
that  sacred  music  was  an  important  part  of  public  worship, 
and,  as  that  part  was  not  to  be  performed,  he  should,  at  that 
time,  dispense  with  performing  the  other  parts,  and  then  left 
the  house,  and  the  congregation  followed.  Mr.  Washburn 
was  the  seventh  generation  from  Mr.  John  AVasliburn,  who 
settled  in  Duxbury  as  early  as  1632.  Mr.  Washburn's  min- 
istry in  Greenfield  was  about  four  years. 

6.  Rev.  Lorenzo  L.  Langstroth  was  installed  as  the 
sixth  pastor  of  this  church,  Dec.  20,  1843,  and  Rev.  Dr. 
Leonard  Bacon  preached  the  sermon ;  and  he  was  dismissed 
from  there,  Feb.  15,  1848.  Mr.  Langstroth  was  born  in 
Philadelphia,  Penn.,  Dec.  25,  1810;  graduated  at  Yale  in 
1831  ;  studied  theology  at  New  Haven  ;  was  settled  as 
pastor  at  Andover,  May  11,  1836,  and  the  sermon  was 
preached  by  Rev.  Samuel  Jackson ;  was  dismissed  from 
there  in  the  spring  of  1839  ;  taught  the  Female  High  School 
in  Greenfield  from  1839  to  1843  ;  after  leaving  Greenfield 
in  1848,  taught  a  Young  Ladies  School  in  Philadelphia  till 
1852  ;  and  since  then  has  resided  chiefly  in  Greenfield,  and 
preaches  more  or  less  in  the  vacant  neighboring  churches. 
Li  1853,  he  published  an  ingenious  and  valuable  work  on 
the  honey  bee.  Mr.  Langstroth's  ministry  in  Greenfield  was 
a  little  more  than  four  years. 

7.  Rev.  George  C.  Partridge  was  installed  as  the  seventh 
pastor  of  this  church.  May  18,  1848,  and  the  sermon  on  the 
occasion  was  preached  by  Rev.  Amos  Bullard,  then  of  Barre. 
Mr.  Partridge  was  born  in  Hatfield,  Aug.  27,  1813  ;  gradu- 
ated at  Amherst  in  1833 ;  studied  theology  at  Amherst  and 
Andover  ;  was  -a  tutor  in  Amherst  College  from  1836  to 
1838 ;  was  settled  as  pastor  at  Nantucket,  Nov.  21,  1839, 
and   the    sermon  was   by  Rev.   Dr.   Silas  Aiken,  then  of 


OF     GREENFIELD.  199 

Boston ;  was  dismissed  from  there,  Aug.  10,  1841  ;  was 
installed  as  pastor  at  Brimfield,  Feb.  9,  1842,  and  the  ser- 
mon was  by  Rev,  Dr.  John  Nelson  of  Leicester  ;  was  dis- 
missed from  there,  Feb.  24,  1847  ;  in  1838-9  supplied  a  few 
months  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  and  in  the  Seamen's  Bethel, 
Portland,  Me.  Mr.  Partridge  is  a  grandson  of  the  late  Rev. 
Dr.  Joseph  Lyman  of  Hatfield.  He  is  still  a  pastor  in  Green- 
field, in  the  sixth  year  of  his  ministry  there. 

Of  the  seven  pastors  of  this  church,  six  were  dismissed  ; 
five  are  now  living  ;  and  the  average  length  of  their  pas- 
torates in  Greenfield  is  about  three  years  and  a  half. 

CONGREGATIONAL    PREACHERS    WHO    ORIGINATED    FROM 
GREENFIELD. 

1.  Mr.  Edioard  Billings,  Jr.,  son  of  Rev.  Edward  Bil- 
lings, first  pastor  of  the  first  church  in  Greenfield,  is  supposed 
to  have  been  born  in  Belchertown  in  1750 ;  removed  to 
Greenfield  at  four  years  of  age,  where  he  lived  till  his  death  ; 
graduated  at  Cambridge  in  1775  ;  was  licensed  by  the  Hamp- 
shire Association  in  1776,  but  was  never  ordained  ;  preached 
but  a  short  time,  and  became  a  physician  ;  and  died  in 
Greenfield,  May  8,  1806,  aged  56.  The  following  is  the 
epitaph  on  his  gravestone,  viz.  : 

"  Some  hearty  friend  shall  drop  a  tear 
On  our  dry  bones,  and  say, 
These  once  were  strong,  as  mine  appear, 
And  mine  must  be  as  they." 

2.  Rev.  Charles  C.  Corse  was  born  in  Greenfield,  May 
23,  1803  ;  graduated  at  Amherst  in  1830  ;  finished  the  the- 
ological course  at  Princeton  in  1834 ;  began  to  preach  in 
Kingston,  Penn.,  in  1834,  and  preached  in  the  Valley  of 
Wyoming,  Penn.,  till  1837 ;  settled  as  pastor  in  Athens,  Penn., 
Feb.  27,  1838,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Isaac  W.  Piatt ; 
dismissed  from  there  in  June,  1847  ;  in  1847  removed  to 
East  Smithfield,  Bradford  County,  Penn.,  where  he  has  con- 


200  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

tinned  to  preach  as  a  stated  supply  till  the  present  time. 
Mr.  Corse  was  licensed  by  the  Hampshire  Association,  Feb. 
5.  1834,  and  was  ordained  as  an  Evangelist  by  the  Presby- 
tery of  Susquehanna,  Penn.,  Aug.  27,  1836,  and  the  sermon 
was  by  Rev.  John  Dorrance.  Mr.  Corse  buried  his  wife,  Aug. 
7,  1851,  and  was  left  with  five  children. 

3.  Rev.  John  F.  Grisioold  was  born  in  Greenfield,  April 
14,  1795;  graduated  at  Yale  in  1821;  finished  the  theologi- 
cal course  at  Andover  in  1824  ;  was  ordained  as  an  Evan- 
gelist at  Shelburne  by  the  Franklin  Association,  Nov.  8, 
1825,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Josiah  W.  Canning  ;  in- 
stalled pastor  at  South  Hadley  Falls,  Dec.  3,  1828,  and  Rev. 
Dr.  Edward  Hitchcock  preached  the  sermon  ;  dismissed  from 
there  in  1832  ;  settled  as  pastor  in  Newfane,  Vt.,  April  10, 
1834,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Jonathan  McGee  ;  dis- 
missed from  there,  July  31,  1839  ;  settled  as  pastor  at  Hart- 
land,  Vt.,  in  1839,  and  President  Lord,  of  Dartmouth  College, 
preached  the  sermon  ;  dismissed  from  there  in  1844  ;  from 
1844  till  the  present  time  he  has  preached  as  a  stated  supply 
in  Washington,  N.  H.,  where  he  still  resides.  Mr.  Griswold 
buried  his  first  wife  in  1832,  and  his  second  wife  about 
1836,  and  married  his  third  wife  in  1838.  In  1829  the 
name  John  was  prefixed  by  Legislative  authority  to  the  other 
part  of  his  name. 

4.  Rev.  Charles  P.  Russell  was  born  in  Greenfield,  April 
3,  1801  ;  pursued  collegiate  studies  for  a  time  at  Amherst, 
but  never  graduated  at  any  college  ;  was  licensed  by  Frank- 
lin Association,  Aug.  11,  1830  ;  settled  as  pastor  in  Candia, 
N.  H.,  Dec.  25,  1833.  After  a  few  years  he  relinquished 
preaching  on  account  of  ill  health,  and  has  since  resided  in 
Greenfield,  Boston  and  Washington,  D.  C.  He  studied  the- 
ology a  short  time  at  Andover  ;  was  dismissed  from  Candia, 
N.  H.,  in  1841.  He  is  now  employed  in  the  Post  Office 
Department  in  Washington,  D.  C. 

5.  Rev.  Samuel  M.  Woodhridge  was  born  in  Greenfield, 
April,  5,  1819  j  is  the  son  of  Rev.  Sylvester  Woodbridge, 


OF     GREENFIELD.  201 

formerly  a  pastor  in  Greenfield,  and  removed  from  that  place 
in  1823  ;  graduated  at  the  New  York  University  in  1839  ; 
studied  theology  at  the  Reformed  Dutch  Seminary,  in  New 
Brunswick,  N.  J.  ;  was  licensed  in  July,  1842  ;  was  ordained 
as  pastor  of  the  South  Dutch  Church,  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  in 
December,  1842 ;  dismissed  from  there  in  1850  ;  in  April, 
1850,  he  accepted  a  call  from  the  Dutch  church  in  Coxsackie 
Landing,  N.  Y.  ;  in  November,  1852,  was  installed  as  pastor 
of  the  Second  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  New  Brunswick, 
N.  J.,  where  he  still  remains  as  pastor.  Mr.  Woodbridge, 
his  father,  and  his  three  brothers,  are  now  preaching  in  five- 
different  States  of  the  Union. 

Of  the  five  preachers  here  reckoned  as  sons  of  Greenfield,, 
four  were  natives  of  the  town  ;  one  is  connected  with  the 
Reformed  Dutch  church  ;  four  were  graduates  ;  four  were 
ordained  ;  two  were  the  sons  of  ministers  ;  and  four  are  now 
living. 

Several  other  Congregational  ministers  have  spent  some 
portion  of  their  early  life  in  Greenfield.  Rev.  Hiram  P. 
Arms  commenced  learning  a  trade  in  the  town,  and  lived 
here  some  two  years.  Rev.  Jubilee  Wellman  was  born 
in  that  part  of  Greenfield  which  was,  about  six  months 
after  his  birth,  incorporated  as  the  town  of  Gill.  Rev. 
Avery  Williams  taught  school  for  a  considerable  period  in 
the  town  in  early  life. 

OTHER    DENOMINATIONS. 

Baptists.  The  Baptist  church  in  Greenfield  was  formed 
February,  1852,  with  eighteen  members.  Mr.  Joseph  H. 
Seaver,  a  licentiate,  preached  a  few  months ;  and  Rev. 
William  F.  Nelson  has  since  been  their  stated  supply.  The 
number  of  members  in  1853  was  59. 

Episcopalians.     The  Episcopal  church  in  Greenfield  was 

organized  Sept.  24,  1812,  with  five  members.     Rev.  Titus 

Strong,  D.  D.,  was  constituted  Rector  of  the  Parish  in  May, 

1815,  and  still  continues  in  this  relation.    Episcopal  ministers 

26 


202  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

originating  from  Greenfield  :  Rev.  George  T.  Chapman,  D.D., 
and  Rev.  Allen  C.  Morgan. 

Methodists.  The  Methodist  church  in  Greenfield  was 
formed  in  1835,  with  seventy-five  members.  The  following 
preachers  have  supplied  this  church,  viz. :  Revs.  Paul  Towns- 
hend,  R.  Ransom,  L.  C.  Collins,  C.  Barnes,  I.  B.  Bigelow,  I. 
Marcy,  J.  Mudge,  R.  Kellen,  S.  Marcy,  J.  Nickols,  D.  Ames, 
J.  Paulson,  and  Linus  Fish  in  1S53.  Methodist  ministers 
who  originated  from  Greenfield,  viz. :  Revs.  W.  R.  Clark 
and  C.  W.  Ainsworth  who  died  in  Milford  in  1852. 

Unitarians.  The  Unitarian  church  in  Greenfield  was 
organized  in  August,  1825,  with  eight  male  members.  Rev. 
Winthrop  Bailey  was  installed  pastor  in  October,  1825,  and 
died  March  16,  1835,  aged  51.  Rev.  John  Parkman,  Jr., 
was  installed  pastor,  Oct.  11,  1837,  and  was  dismissed  at 
his  request  in  1839  ;  since  which  time  several  ministers  have 
preached  as  stated  supplies.  One  Unitarian  minister,  Rev. 
George  Ripley,  originated  from  Greenfield. 

The  Roman  Catholics  have  occasionally  held  meetings  in 
Greenfield  for  a  few  years  past. 

Summary  of  preachers  originating  from  Greenfield  :  Or- 
thodox Congregationalists,  5  ;  Episcopalians,  2  ;  Method- 
ists, 2  ;  Unitarians,  1.     Total,  10. 

HAWLEY. 

This  town  is  said  to  have  been  named  after  Joseph  Haw- 
ley  of  Northampton.  It  was  incorporated  Feb.  7,  1792. 
Its  population  in  1850  was  881.  Two  churches  have  been 
organized  in  the  town,  both  of  which  are  of  the  Con- 
gregational order. 

congregationalists. 

First  Church.  The  first  church  in  Hawley  was  formed 
Sept.  16,  1778,  with  twenty  members.  Revs.  Messrs.  Por- 
ter of  Ashfield,   Leavitt   of  Charlemont,  and    Emerson  of 


OF     HAW  LEY.  203 

Conway,  were  on  the  council.  This  church  and  people 
built  their  first  Meeting-house  in  1794,  and  their  second  in 
1824,  and  their  third  in  1847,  which  is  located  not  far  from 
a  mile  and  a  half  south  of  the  site  of  the  first  house  of  wor- 
ship. Frequent  revivals  were  formerly  enjoyed  by  this 
church  ;  one  in  1794,  and  seventeen  additions  to  the  church  ; 
in  1795,  and  fourteen  added ;  in  1797,  and  eighteen  added  ; 
in  1807,  and  thirty-three  added  ;  in  1816,  and  one  hundred 
and  eighteen  added  ;  in  1822,  and  eighteen  added  ;  in  1825, 
and  forty-four  added  ;  in  1828,  and  fourteen  added  ;  in  1831, 
and  sixty-four  added  j  in  1832,  and  thirty-one  added.  A 
mutual  council  for  the  settlement  of  difficulties  was  held, 
June  11,  1804  ;  and  an  ex  parte  council  for  the  same  purpose, 
Sept.  24,  1812.  The  amount  contributed  to  the  cause  of 
christian  benevolence  in  1853  was  $81  78.  The  Sabbath 
School  in  1852  numbered  125.  The  church  in  1853  con- 
tained 97  members.  Previous  to  the  settlement  of  the  first 
pastor  in  1793,  Rev.  Jacob  Sherv/in  of  Ashfield  preached  for 
this  people  more  or  less. 

In  the  seventy-five  years  since  the  organization  of  this 
church,  it  has  had  pastors  about  fifty-three  years,  and  been 
destitute  of  the  same  about  twenty-two  years.  Three  pas- 
tors have  been  settled  over  this  church. 

Pastors.  1.*  Rev.  Jonathan  Grout  was  ordained  as  the 
fir^t  pastor  of  this  church,  Oct.  23,  1793,  and  the  sermon 
was  preached  by  Rev.  Dr.  Joseph  Lyman  of  Hatfield,  which 
was  published.  Mr.  Grout  continued  pastor  of  the  church 
nearly  forty-two  years,  and  till  his  death,  June  6,  1835. 
For  a  few  years  previous  to  his  death  he  was  unable  fully 
to  perform  pastoral  duties,  and  a  colleague  pastor  was  set- 
tled about  one  year  before  his  decease.  Mr.  Grout  was  born 
in  Westboro',  in  1763  ;  graduated  at  Cambridge  in  1790  ; 
studied  theology  with  Dr.  Lyman  of  Hatfield  ;.  was  licensed 
by  the  Northern  Association  of  Hampshire  County,  Aug.  7, 
1792  ;  and  spent  his  ministerial  and  pastoral  life  in  Hawley, 
In  1802,  according  to  a  prevalent  practice  among  many  pas- 


204  CHURCHES      AND     MINISTERS 

tors  of  that  time,  he  performed  a  mission  of  sixteen  weeks 
among  the  destitute  settlements  in  Maine.  He  published 
several  occasional  sermons  ;  one  preached  at  Northampton 
before  the  Hampshire  Missionary  Society,  in  1820  ;  one 
preached  at  Cummington,  on  Sacred  Music  ;  and  one 
preached  at  the  installation  of  Mr.  Smith  in  Rowe,  in  1812. 
Four  of  his  children  have  deceased,  one  of  whom  was 
drowned  at  the  age  of  15  ;  and  five  of  his  children  and  his 
widow  are  now  living.  His  aged  widow  annually  receives 
a  liberal  share  of  the  Congregational  ministerial  funds  of  the 
Convention  and  Charitable  Society  of  Massachusetts. 

Mr.  Grout's  colleague  preached  his  funeral  sermon,  and 
thus  speaks  of  him  :  "  He  was  a  peacemaker,  a  man  of  ex- 
cellent spirit,  sound  in  the  faith,  and,  I  believe,  a  good 
preacher,  as  well  as  a  very  successful  one."  A  pastor,  who 
was  a  neighbor  and  a  cotemporary  with  Mr.  Grout,  writes  as 
follows  respecting  him  :  "  Mr.  Grout  was  a  diligent,  labori- 
ous, and  successful  minister.  He  loved  his  people,  and  they 
loved  him.  He  was  truly  a  practical  man.  His  sermons 
were  not  highly  wrought,  but  contained  important  truth 
adapted  to  the  circumstances  of  his  people.  He  was  em- 
phatically a  social,  hospitable,  kind-hearted  man.  And  the 
impression  which  he  left  behind  him  was  such  that  his 
people  generally  appreciate  the  ministry  and  respect  the 
minister.  And  no  people,  so  far  as  I  know,  have  recently 
made  greater  sacrifices  to  support  christian  institutions  than 
the  people  in  Hawley."  "  Rev.  Mr.  Grout,"  says  a  minis- 
terial friend  of  his  in  Maine,  "  was  a  bright,  noble,  generous, 
sociable  and  free-hearted  man.  He  was  not  the  highest 
Calvinist,  but  was  a  good  man  and  a  popular  preacher. 
He  had  a  loud  and  commanding  voice,  and  was  one  of 
the  most  popular  missionaries  that  went  into  the  State  of 
Maine." 

The  following  is  the  epitaph  on  his  gravestone,  viz.  : 
^'  This  stone  was  erected  by  the  first  parish  in  Hawley  to 
the  memory  of  the  Rev.  Jonathan  Grout,  who  departed  this 


OF     II  AW  LEY.  205 

life  June  6,  1835,  in  the  73rd  year  of  his  age,  and  the  42iid 
of  his  ministry.  He  was  the  first  minister  in  Hawley. 
Great  unanimity  among  his  people  prevailed  during  the 
ministry  of  this  devoted  servant  of  Christ."  He  was  sole 
pastor  of  the  church  about  forty  years,  and  retained  the  nom- 
inal relation  about  forty-two  years. 

2.  Rev.  Tyler  Thacher  was  installed  as  the  second  pas- 
tor of  this  church,  May  14,  1834,  and  the  sermon  was  by 
Rev.  Otis  Thompson  of  Rehoboth.  He  was  settled  as  a 
colleague  with  Rev.  Jonathan  Grout,  and  was  dismissed 
from  there,  Jan.  31,  1843.  The  ministerial  element  in  Mr. 
Thacher's  ancestry  deserves  a  brief  notice.  His  paternal 
grandfather  was  Rev.  Peter  Thacher  of  East  Attleboro', 
who  was  the  son  of  Rev.  Peter  Thacher  of  Middleboro', 
who  was  the  grandson  of  Rev.  Peter  Thacher  of  Milton, 
who  was  the  great-grandson  of  Rev.  Thomas  Thacher  of  Bos- 
ton, who  was  the  great-great-grandson  of  Rev.  Peter  Thacher 
of  Salisbury,  England  ;  and  the  last-named  Peter  Thacher's 
ancestors  in  England  are  said  to  have  been  ministers  for  nine 
or  ten  successive  generations.  Rev.  T.  Thacher  has  one 
brother  who  is  a  minister,  viz.,  Rev.  Moses  Thacher. 

Rev.  Tyler  Thacher  was  born  in  Princeton,  Sept.  11, 
1801,  and  in  1803  removed  to  Harford,  Penn.  ;  graduated 
at  Brown  University  in  1824 ;  studied  theology  with  Rev. 
Otis  Thompson  ;  was  licensed  by  Mendon  Association,  April 
26,  1825;  ordained  as  an  Evangelist,  by  Mendon  Associa- 
tion, at  North  Wrentham,  Dec.  4,  1827,  and  Rev.  Otis 
Thompson  preached  on  the  occasion.  Previous  to  his  set- 
tlement in  Hawley,  he  supplied  in  Hanover  and  Paris,  N. 
Y.  ;  Carver  and  Franklin,  Mass.  ;  Guildhall,  Vt.  ;  in  1828, 
in  Ohio ;  from  1829  to  1833,  in  Staunton,  Va.  Subsequent 
to  his  dismission  from  Hawley,  he  preached  as  a  stated 
supply  in  North  Wrentham.  On  the  20th  of  Sept.  1851, 
after  a  voyage  of  ten  and  a  half  months,  he,  with  his  family, 
arrived  at  San  Francisco,  California,  and  has  since  then  been 
employed  in  teaching  in  Marysville,  California.     On  his  sea- 


206  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

voyage  to  California,  he  discovered  a  "new  method  of  de- 
termining the  longitude  at  sea  without  recourse  to  the 
chronometer."  He  has  published  four  treatises,  entitled 
"  Taylorism  Examined,"  "Arminianism  Examined,"  "Per- 
fectionism Examined,"  and  "  Christianity  and  Infidelity." 
He  married  Miss  Fidelia,  a  daughter  of  Rev.  Otis  Thomp- 
son, by  whom  he  had  three  children,  and  who  died  in  Haw- 
ley.  His  second  and  present  wife  was  Miss  Nancy  Newton 
of  Hawley.  His  eldest  son,  a  pious,  promising  youth,  prepar- 
ing for  the  ministry,  was  drowned  in  North  Wrentham.  Mr. 
Thacher's  ministry  in  Hawley  was  eight  years  and  eight 
months.  He  is  still  teaching,  and  occasionally  preaching  in 
Marysville,  California. 

Between  the  pastorates  of  Mr.  Thacher  and  his  successor, 
this  people  were  supplied  four  years  by  Rev.  John  Eastman, 
and  by  Rev.  William  A.  Hawley  two  years. 

3.  Rev.  Henry  Seymour  was  installed  as  the  third  pastor, 
Oct.  3,  1849,  and  the  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  T. 
Packard,  Jr.  Mr.  Seymour  has  been  pastor  of  the  church 
four  years,  and  still  preaches  in  Hawley.  A  more  full  notice 
of  him  is  given  in  the  account  of  the  pastors  of  the  Orthodox 
church  in  Deerfield.  Mr.  Seymour's  first  wife,  who  was 
Miss  Arabelle  Fisk  of  Shelburne,  died  in  Hawley. 

Of  the  three  pastors  of  this  church,  one  was  dismissed ; 
two  are  now  living ;  and  the  average  length  of  their  pasto- 
rates in  Hawley  is  about  eighteen  years. 

Second  Church.  The  second  church  in  this  town  is  sit- 
uated in  what  is  called  West  Hawley.  The  great  difficulty 
experienced  by  the  people  in  the  west  part  in  attending 
public  worship  at  the  centre  of  the  town,  led  to  the  organ- 
ization of  the  second  church,  Aug.  24,  1825.  Forty-three 
members  were  organized.  A  revival  was  enjoyed  in  1831, 
and  twelve  were  added  to  the  church ;  also  in  1843,  and 
twelve  were  added.  The  first  Meeting-house  belonging  to 
this  people  was  built  in  1825,  and  the  second  in  1847. 

In  1834,  by  request  of  this  church,  Franklin  Association, 


OF     H  A  W  L  E  T. 


207 


by  a  committee,  investigated  a  case  of  difliculty  between  said 
church  and  Rev.  Anson  Dyer,  a  licentiate  and  member  of 
the  Association,  who  had  been  supplying  the  church  as  a 
preacher.  The  committee  held  two  lengthy  sessions  for  this 
purpose  in  West  Hawley ;  and,  upon  hearing  the  report  of 
this  committee,  the  Association,  April  29,  1834,  deposed  Mr. 
Dyer  from  the  christian  ministry,  for  unministerial  conduct. 
This  church  called  a  council  to  advise  them  in  relation  to 
admitting  Mr.  Anson  Dyer  to  their  membership;  and  the 
council  held  one  session,  Nov.  22,  1843,  and  one,  March  12, 
1844.  This  church  began  to  receive  missionary  aid  in  1830, 
and  has  received  $1,320.  It  is  not  now  assisted.  Among 
the  preachers  who  supplied  this  people  previous  to  the  set- 
tlement of  their  first  pastor,  are  Revs.  Urbane  Hitchcock, 
Dr.  Packard,  T.  Packard,  Jr.,  Anson  Dyer,  Mr.  Bingham, 
and  Joshua  Crosby.  The  amount  contributed  by  this  people 
to  the  cause  of  christian  benevolence,  in  1853,  was  $12. 
The  Sabbath  School,  in  1852,  numbered  80.  The  number 
in  the  church,  in  1853,  was  59. 

In  the  twenty-eight  years  since  the  formation  of  this 
church,  it  has  had  pastors  twelve  years,  and  has  been  desti- 
tute of  settled  pastors  sixteen  years.  This  church  has  had 
two  pastors. 

Pastors.  1.  Rev.  Moses  Miller  was  installed  as  the  first 
pastor  of  this  church.  May  20,  1840,  and  after  a  ministry  of 
six  years  and  five  months,  was  dismissed,  Oct.  20,  1846.  A 
more  full  notice  of  him  may  be  found  in  the  account  of  the 
pastors  of  the  Heath  church. 

2.  Rev.  John  Eastman  was  installed  as  the  second  pastor 
of  this  church,  Nov.  11,  1847  ;  has  been  the  pastor  six  years, 
and  still  continues  in  the  same  relation. 

Mr.  Eastman  was  born  in  Amherst,  July  19,  1803  ;  never 
graduated  at  any  college  ;  had  the  honorary  degree  of  A.  M. 
conferred  upon  him  by  Amherst  College  in  1851 ;  studied 
theology  with  Rev.  Dr.  Packard ;  was  licensed  by  Franklin 
Association,  Feb.  12,  1833 ;    ordained  as  an  Evangelist  at 


208  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

Charlemont,  Aug.  13,  1834,  and  Rev.  T.  Packard,  Jr., 
preached  the  sermon  ;  ordained  as  a  pastor  at  Fulton,  N,  Y.. 
September,  1834,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  William 
Lusk ;  and  he  was  dismissed  from  there,  Oct.  10,  1837 ; 
settled  as  pastor  in  Mexico,  N.  Y.,  November,  1837,  and  the 
sermon  was  by  Rev.  William  Benedict ;  and  was  dismissed 
from  there  in  January,  1840 ;  settled  as  pastor  at  Evans' 
Mills,  N.  Y.,  January,  1841,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev. 
Mr.  McGregore  ;  and  was  dismissed  from  there,  July,  1843 ; 
then  supplied  in  Whately,  and  four  years  in  the  first  church 
in  Hawley.  Mr.  Eastman  has  two  brothers  in  the  ministry, 
viz.,  Rev.  Oman  Eastman  of  New  York,  and  Rev.  David 
Eastman  of  Leverett. 

Of  the  two  pastors  of  this  church,  one  was  dismissed  ;  both 
are  living ;  and  the  average  length  of  their  pastorates  in  West 
Hawley  is  about  six  years. 

CONGREGATIONAL    PREACHERS    ORIGINATING    FROM    HAWLEY. 

1.  Rev.  On-amel  W.  Cooley  was  born  in  Hawley,  Jan. 
18,  1816;  graduated  at  Williams,  1841;  finished  the  the- 
ological course  at  Bangor  in  1846 ;  was  licensed  by  Frank- 
lin Association,  Nov.  12,  1845  ;  ordained  as  pastor  at  Dover, 
May  4,  1848 ;  dismissed  from  there  in  1850.  Rev.  Sereno 
D.  Clark  preached  his  ordination  sermon.  For  several  years 
Mr.  Cooley  has  been  in  Illinois  ;  and  in  May,  1853,  was 
commissioned  as  a  Home  Missionary  to  labor  in  Granville, 
Illinois. 

2.*  Rev.  Marshall  L.  Farnsivorth  was  born  in  Hawley 
about  1799,  and  removed  to  Madison  County,  N.Y.,  when 
about  eighteen  years  of  age  ;  graduated  at  Union  in  1825  ; 
studied  theology  at  Auburn  ;  was  licensed  and  ordained  as 
an  Evangelist  in  Western  New  York,  and  preached  there 
till  failure  of  health  constrained  him  to  seek  the  warmer 
climate  of  South  Carolina  ;  in  1829  preached  in  Danby, 
N.  Y. ;  was  then  pastor  of  the  church  in  Elmira,  N.  Y., 
about  three  years  ;  then  labored  a  year  or  two  as  an  agent  of 


OF     H  A  W  L  E  Y .  209 

the  American  Sunday  School  Union  in  Connecticut ;  then 
taught  a  select  school  in  Norwich,  Ct.  ;  and,  in  1838,  was 
constrained  by  declining  health  to  relinquish  active  service, 
and  he  removed  to  the  residence  of  his  father-in-law,  Mr. 
Jonathan  B.  Gosman,  in  Danby,  N.  Y.,  where  he  died,  Nov. 
27,  1838,  in  the  40th  year  of  his  age.  Rev.  William  Clark, 
pastor  of  the  church  in  that  place,  performed  the  funeral 
services.  On  his  tombstone  is  the  inscription,  "  I  have  kept 
the  faith." 

His  character  is  thus  described  by  Mr.  Gosman  :  "  Mr. 
Farnsworth  was  a  warm-hearted,  fervent,  practical  preacher : 
well  instructed  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven  himself,  he  sought 
to  make  his  people  not  merely  christians  but  intelligent 
christians.  The  religion  which  he  recommended  was  that 
of  the  heart,  but  not  to  the  exclusion  of  the  mind.  He  was 
a  doctrinal  preacher.  He  loved  to  exhibit  the  doctrines  of 
the  gospel,  but  he  preached  them  practically,  not  merely  as 
theories  which  good  men  ought  to  understand,  but  as  sub- 
stantial facts,  upon  which  christians  ought  to  live,  and  grow, 
and  thrive.  He  was  a  conscientious  preacher.  The  great 
ends  of  the  christian  ministry,  the  glory  of  God  in  the  con- 
version of  sinners  and  in  the  edification  of  saints,  were  ever 
before  him.  He  was  an  earnest  preacher.  O  how  earnestly 
did  he  beseech  sinners  to  be  reconciled  to  God  !  Everybody 
felt  that  he  was  in  earnest.  There  was  the  power  of  his 
preaching.  He  was  a  dignified  preacher.  Commanding  in; 
his  appearance  and  demeanor,  his  preaching  was  fully  cor- 
respondent. He  had  no  taste  for,  nor  any  affectation  of,, 
pulpit  wit.  Nothing  calculated  to  excited  a  laugh  was  heard, 
from  him.  He  was  a  direct  preacher.  Thon  art  the  man., 
went  to  the  heart  of  many  a  heai'er.  He  was  a  nscfid  preach- 
er— useful  in  gathering  the  flock,  and  useful  in  feeding  and 
guarding  the  flock.  He  did  not  serve  his  Lord  on  earth  as 
long  nor  as  much  as  he  wished  ;  but  his  Lord  knew  best 
where  to  employ  him,  whether  with  those  of  the  family  on 
earth,  or  with  those  in  heaven.  '  His  record  is  on  high.'  '^^ 
27 


210  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

The  following  notice  of  Mr.  Farnswarth  was  published  in 
the  New  York  Evangelist,  Dec.  22,  1838  :  "  He  lived  de- 
voted to  the  work  to  which  he  had  consecrated  his  days, 
the  spread  of  the  everlasting  gospel  ;  and  he  died  in  the  full 
possession  of  those  consolations  which  that  gospel  furnishes. 
In  private  life,  his  unblemished  course,  and  the  pious  and 
affectionate  and  generous  feelings  of  his  heart,  commended 
'him  to  the  best  regards  of  his  numerous  friends.  In  his 
public  walks,  as  an  ambassador  of  Christ,  his  fervency  and 
zeal  in  winning  souls,  his  ability  in  stating,  and  his  dignified 
earnestness  in  enforcing  the  truth,  with  his  prudence  and 
moderation  in  relation  to  the  exciting  circumstances  of  the 
church  at  this  time,  and  yet  more,  the  success  with  which 
his  ministry  was  crowned,  attested  his  value  and  fimiish 
cause  of  mourning  for  his  loss  to  all  who  seek  the  peace  and 
prosperity  of  Zion.  He  had  been  laid  aside  from  the  public 
service  of  the  sanctuary  by  the  slow  progress  of  pulmonary 
consumption,  but  he  ever  manifested  a  warm  heart  for  the 
church  and  for  the  spread  of  vital  piety.  '  Help,  Lord,  for 
the  godly  man  ceaseth.'  "  His  widow  married  Mr.  James 
O.  Towner  of  Albany,  N.  Y. 

3.  Rev.  Pindar  Field  was  born  in  Sunderland,  May  1, 
1794 ;  at  the  age  of  one  year  removed  with  his  parents  to 
Hawley,  where  he  lived  till  manhood  ;  studied  three  years  at 
Williams  College,  but  graduated  at  Amherst  in  1822  ;  studied 
theology  two  years  at  Andover  ;  was  licensed  in  December, 
1C24 ;  labored  as  a  teacher  among  the  Indians  in  Oldtown, 
Me.  ;  in  1825,  preached  in  Deanfield,  Me.,  the  first  sermon 
ever  preached  there,  and  a  great  revival  was  enjoyed  in  the 
place,  in  which  "  nearly  the  whole  population  were  hopefully 
converted ;"  then  preached  in  Madison,  N.  Y.,  and  a  revival 
was  enjoyed  in  1826,  as  the  fruits  of  which  about  seventy 
made  a  profession  of  religion  ;  in  1827  and  1828  preached 
for  Rev.  Samuel  Green  of  Boston,  and  in  Palmer,  and  in 
Bridgewater  ;  from  1828  to  1831,  preached  in  Hamilton, 
N.  Y.,  and  was  installed  as  pastor  there  in  August,  1830,  and 


OF     HAW  LEY.  211 

Rev.  William  R.  Weeks  preached  the  sermon  ;  he  gathered 
a  church  in  that  place  of  eight  members,  and  left  it  in  three 
years  consisting  of  one  hundred  and  forty  members  ;  preached 
in  Apulia,  (Fabius,)  N.Y.,  from  1831  to  1834  ;  was  installed 
as  pastor  at  Oriskany  Palls,  N.  Y.,  Dec.  31,  1834,  and  was 
dismissed  from  there  May  26,  1846  ;  then  preached  at  Mar- 
shall, N.  Y.,  and  was  installed  pastor  there,  Feb.  23,  1848, 
and  was  dismissed  from  there,  Jan.  15,  1851  ;  and,  since 
1851,  has  been  supplying  at  North  Pitcher,  N.Y.,  and  Linck- 
laen,  N.  Y. 

4.  Rev.  Thomas  A.  Hall  was  born  in  Hawley,  Sept.  2, 
1813  J-  graduated  at  Williams  in  1838  ;  studied  theology 
with  Rev.  John  H.  Bisbee  of  Worthington  ;  was  licensed  by 
the  Hampshire  Association  in  November,  1840;  was  ordained 
as  pastor  in  Dalton,  June  16,  1841,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Bisbee 
preached  on  the  occasion  ;  was  dismissed  from  there,  Sept. 
29,  1847  ;  and  since  then  has  had  charge  of  the  Academy  in 
Lee,  and,  for  some  part  of  the  time,  has  supplied  vacant 
churches.     Mr.  Hall  still  lives  in  Lee. 

5.  Rev.  Urbane  Hitchcock  was  born  in  Hawley  in  1782  ; 
graduated  at  Williams  in  1806  ;  studied  theology  with  Rev. 
Dr.  Packard  of  Shelburne  ;  was  ordained  as  a  pastor  in 
Dover, Vt.,  Dec.  21,  1808,  and  was  dismissed  from  there,  Feb. 
13,  1813  ;  in  1815,  labored  as  a  missionary  under  the  Mis- 
sionary Society  in  Vermont  ;  afterwards  lived  for  many  years 
in  Charlemont,  and  followed  agricultural  pursuits ;  then  lived 
in  Hawley,  and  in  Palmer,  and  now  resides  in  Ware,  and  has 
relinquished  preaching. 

6.  Rev.  Jonas  King,  D.  D.,  was  born  in  Hawley,  July 
29,  1792  ;  under  his  father's  direction  read  the  Bible  through 
before  he  was  six  years  old,  and  every  year  afterwards,  till 
he  was  fifteen  years  old  ;  graduated  at  Williams  in  1816  ; 
studied  theology  at  Andover  ;  was  ordained  as  an  Evangelist 
in  Charleston,  S.  C,  Dec.  17,  1819  ;  labored  for  a  few  months 
in  that  city  among  the  seamen  and  the  colored  people  ;  was 
chosen  a  Professor  of  Oriental  Literature  in  Amherst  Collea;e 


212  CHURCHES      AND     MINISTERS 

in  1821,  but  never  entered  upon  the  duties  of  the  office  ; 
visited  France  and  studied  at  Paris  ;  in  1823  went  as  a  mis- 
sionary with  Rev.  Pliny  Fisk  to  Jerusalem  ;  spent  four  years 
in  the  Turkish  dominions  ;  returned  to  France  ;  in  1827, 
visited  the  United  States  ;  travelled  3000  miles  in  the  United 
States  as  an  agent  of  the  American  Board  ;  by  request  of  the 
Ladies'  Greek  Committee  in  New  York,  went  out,  in  1828, 
with  provisions  for  the  suffering  Greeks,  and  acted  as  an 
agent  for  the  distribution  of  the  charitable  bounty  ;  was  soon 
commissioned  by  the  American  Board  as  a  missionary,  and 
has  since  then  labored  in  that  capacity  in  Greece.  An  ac- 
count of  his  labors,  trials,  and  persecutions  in  Greece,  is 
given  in  the  pages  of  the  Missionary  Herald  for  the  past  ten 
years.  Dr.  King  was  married  by  Rev.  Dr.  Rufus  Anderson, 
at  Tenos,  in  Greece,  July  22,  1829,  to  Miss  Anna  Aspasia 
Mengous,  by  whom  he  has  seven  children.  He  was  a  bene- 
ficiary of  the  American  Education  Society.  He  received  his 
doctorate  from  Nassau  Hall. 

The  following  interesting  account  of  Dr.  King,  when  a 
boy,  is  taken  from  Littell's  Living  Age  for  May  8,  1852 : — 

''Juvenile  Energy. — In  December,  1807,  W.  H.  May- 
nard,  Esq.,  was  teaching  a  school  for  a  quarter  in  the  town 
of  Plainfield,  Massachusetts.  One  cold,  blustering  morning, 
on  entering  his  school-room,  he  observed  a  lad  he  had  not 
seen  before,  sitting  on  one  of  the  benches.  The  lad  soon 
made  known  his  errand  to  Mr.  Maynard,  He  was  fifteen 
years  old  ;  his  parents  lived  seven  miles  distant ;  he  wanted 
an  education,  and  had  come  from  home  on  foot  that  morn- 
ing, to  see  if  Mr.  Maynard  could  help  him  contrive  how  to 
obtain  it.  Mr.  Maynard  asked  him  if  he  was  acquainted 
with  any  one  in  the  place.  'No.'  'Do  your  parents  know 
any  one  here  ?'  '  No.'  '  Can  your  parents  help  you  towards 
obtaining  an  education?'  'No.'  'Have  you  any  friends 
that  can  give  you  assistance?'  'No.'  ' Well,  how  do  you 
expect  to  obtain  an  education  ?'  '  I  don't  know,  but  I 
thought  I  would  come  and  see   you.'     Mr.   Maynard  told 


OF      HAWLEY.  213 

him  to  stay  that  day,  and  he  would  see  what  could  be  done. 
He  discovered  that  the  boy  was  possessed  of  good  sense,  but 
no  uncommon  brilliancy ;  and  he  was  particularly  struck 
with  the  cool  and  resolute  manner  in  which  he  undertook  to 
conquer  difficulties  which  would  have  intimidated  common 
minds.  In  the  course  of  the  day,  Mr.  Maynard  made  pro- 
vision for  having  him  boarded  through  the  winter  in  the 
family  with  himself,  the  lad  paying  for  his  board  by  his  ser- 
vices out  of  school.  He  gave  himself  diligently  to  study,  in 
which  he  made  good  but  not  rapid  proficiency,  improving 
every  opportunity  of  reading  and  conversation  for  acquiring 
knowledge ;  and  thus  spent  the  winter.  When  Mr.  May- 
nard left  the  place  in  the  spring,  he  engaged  a  minister,  who 
had  resided  about  four  miles  from  the  boy's  father,  to  hear 
his  recitations ;  and  the  boy  accordingly  boarded  at  home 
and  pursued  his  studies.  It  is  unnecessary  to  pursue  the 
narrative  further.  Mr.  Maynard  never  saw  the  lad  after- 
wards. But  this  was  the  early  history  of  the  Rev.  Jonas 
King,  D.  D.,  whose  exertions  in  the  cause  of  Oriental  learn- 
ing, and  in  alleviating  the  miseries  of  Greece,  have  endeared 
him  alike  to  the  scholar  and  the  philanthropist,  and  shed  a 
bright  ray  of  glory  on  his  native  country." 

It  is  an  interesting  coincidence,  that  the  first  three  Amer- 
ican missionaries  to  Jerusalem  were  born  within  twenty-five 
miles  of  each  other,  and  in  what  was  then  the  same  county, 
and  within  thirty-five  days  of  the  same  time  : — 

Rev.  Pliny  Fisk,  born  in  Shelburne,  June  24,  1792  ; 

Rev.  Levi  Parsons,  born  in  Goshen,  July  18,  1792 ; 

Rev.  Jonas  King,  born  in  Hawley,  July  29,  1792. 
7.  Rev.  Foster  LUley,  Jr.,  was  born  in  Hawley,  June  6, 
1812;  at  about  four  years  of  age,  removed  to  Castle  Creek, 
Broome  County,  N.  Y. ;  graduated  at  Williams  in  1838 ; 
studied  theology  at  Auburn ;  was  licensed,  April  15,  1840, 
by  the  Presbytery  of  Tioga,  N.  Y. ;  preached  at  Chenango 
Forks,  N.  Y.  ;  in  1842,  preached  at  Gainsboro',  Upper  Can- 
ada;  preached  as  a  stated  supply  at  Deposit,   N.  Y.,   from 


214  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

1842  till  1845  ;  from  1845  to  1849,  preached  at  Hornells- 
ville,  N.  Y.  ;  was  ordained  as  an  Evangelist  at  Spencer,  N. 
Y..  Sept.  11,  1849,  by  the  Presbytery  of  Tioga;  from  1849 
to  1852,  preached  at  Kennedy ville,  N.  Y.,  Wheeler,  N.  Y., 
and  Spencer,  N.  Y.  Since  1852,  he  has  been  preaching  as 
a  Home  Missionary  in  three  villages  in  Hume,  N.  Y.,  where 
he  now  resides.  Mr.  Lilley  has  two  brothers,  who  are  min- 
isters, viz.,  Rev.  Alvah  Lilley  of  Pewaukie,  Wisconsin,  and 
Rev.  Armiah  H.  Lilley  of  Craneville,  N.  J. 

8.*  Rev.  Alfred  Longley  was  born  in  Hawley,  Nov.  10, 
1809 ;  never  graduated  at  any  college,  but  studied  at  various 
academies,  and  was  at  Oberlin  Institution,  from  1838  to 
1840 ;  was  licensed  by  Franklin  Association,  July  26,  1843 ; 
then  taught  and  preached  in  Farmington,  Ohio ;  was  or- 
dained as  an  Evangelist  at  Lafayette,  Medina  County,  Ohio, 
in  1845,  and  preached  in  the  same  place  four  years.  He 
died  with  the  consumption,  at  Chatham  Centre,  Ohio,  March 
16,  1851,  aged  41.  He  was  the  son  of  Hon.  Thomas  Long- 
ley,  and  has  one  brother,  who  is  a  minister,  viz..  Rev.  Moses 
M.  Longley  of  Chatham  Centre,  Ohio. 

The  following  notice  of  Mr.  Longley  was  published  in 
the  New  York  Independent,  April  10,  1851: — "He  was  a 
a  man  of  true  benevolence  ;  the  poor  he  ever  remembered  ; 
and  was  not  forgotten  of  his  God  when  himself  became  poor 
and  dependent  upon  the  charity  of  others.  The  kindness  of 
friends  often  affected  him  to  tears.  The  goodness  of  God  in 
giving  his  Son  to  die  for  sinners ;  in  hearing  and  answering 
his  prayers,  and  sending  the  very  thing  he  needed  and  at  the 
time  he  needed  it,  were  themes  upon  which  he  loved  to 
dwell,  and  called  forth  devout  thanksgiving  and  praise. 
When  inviting  christians  to  pray  with  him,  he  would  some- 
times say,  '  Be  sure  you  spend  much  of  the  time  in  giving 
thanks.'  The  tracts,  'Poor  Joseph,'  and  'Christ  is  All,' 
or  'Choice  Drop  of  Honey  from  the  Rock  Christ,'  were 
precious  morsels  to  him.  But  the  Bible,  when  he  became  so 
weak  that  he  could  not  read  it  much,  he  loved  to  have  placed 


OF     HAWLEY.  215 

where  he  could  lie  and  see  it — feast  his  soul  upon,  and  plead 
the  precious  promises  it  contained.  Death,  as  it  drew  near, 
appeared  very  pleasant  to  him.  'It  seems,'  he  said,  'like 
going  to  sleep.  Christians  should  not  be  afraid  to  die.  Let 
sinners  sing 

*  Hark,  from  the  tombs  a  doleful  sound ! ' 

but  christians  should  not  sing  it.'  During  his  sickness,  he 
took  great  delight  in  singing ;  and  very  early  on  Sabbath 
morning  went  to  join  in  the  new  song  above.  He  has  left 
a  wife,  one  son,  and  many  friends,  who  mourn  their  loss, 
but  rejoice  in  his  gain."  His  marriage  with  Miss  Julia  M. 
Read  of  Norton,  took  place  in  1842.  One  of  his  sisters  is 
the  wife  of  Rev.  S.  R.  Riggs,  a  missionary  among  the  In- 
dians at  Lacquiparle,  Minnesota. 

9.  Rev.  Moses  M.  Longley  was  born  in  Hawley,  June  14, 
1815,  and  is  a  brother  of  the  subject  of  the  preceding  sketch. 
He  studied  some  at  Amherst  College,  but  graduated  at  Ober- 
lin  Institution  in  1842 ;  finished  his  theological  studies  at 
Oberlin  in  1845 ;  was  licensed  by  Lorain  County  Associa- 
tion, Ohio,  Aug.  11,  1845;  was  ordained  as  an  Evangelist 
at  Guilford,  Ohio,  May  29,  1846 ;  and  preached  in  that  place 
from  1845  to  1847 ;  supplied  some  in  Westfield,  York,  and 
Lodi,  Ohio ;  and  for  about  six  years  has  been  supplying  in 
Chatham  Centre,  Ohio,  where  he  still  lives. 

10.  Rev.  Isaac  Oakes  was  born  in  Hawley,  June  10, 
1795 ;  graduated  at  Williams  in  1820 ;  studied  theology  at 
Andover  ;  was  licensed  by  the  Essex  Middle  Association, 
July  8,  1823 ;  and  was  ordained  as  an  Evangelist  at  Sa- 
lem, Sept.  25,  1823,  with  others,  and  Dr.  Elias  Cornelius 
preached  on  the  occasion ;  was  installed  as  pastor  at  West- 
field,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  11,  1824,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev. 
William  Page ;  and  he  was  dismissed  from  there,  May  1, 
1831 ;  from  1831  to  1834,  supplied  in  Warsaw  and  East 
Bethany,  N.  Y. ;  installed  as  pastor  in  Lancaster,  N.  Y.,  June 
24,  1834,  and  the  sermon  was  by  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Norris 


216  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

Bull ;  continued  pastor  in  that  place  about  four  years  ;  after- 
wards supplied  four  different  places,  for  several  years  each, 
and  among  them  Riga  and  Nunda,  N.  Y. ;  and  is  now  preach- 
ing in  Oakland,  Livingstone  County,  N.  Y.  Mr.  Oakes  has 
buried  all  his  children,  seven  in  number. 

11.  Rev.  Alvah  C.  Page  was  born  in  Hawley,  March  17. 
1806;  graduated  at  Amherst  in  1829;  studied  theology  with 
Rev.  F.  Freeman  of  Plymouth  ;  licensed  by  Pilgrim  Associ- 
ation, Dec.  21,  1830  ;  ordained  as  an  Evangelist  at  Charle- 
mont,  Nov.  8,  1831,  and  the  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev. 
Dr.  Packard  of  Shelburne  ;  preached  in  Warwick  in  1831; 
then  supplied  the  church  in  Montague ;  in  1832,  1833,  and 

1834,  preached  in  Rutland,  N.  Y.,  Pembroke,  N.  Y.,  and 
Bethany,  N.  Y. ;  was  settled  as  pastor  in  Norwich,  January, 

1835,  and  Rev.  William  A.  Hawley  preached  the  sermon  ; 
dismissed  from  there,  July  20,  1836  ;  settled  as  pastor  in 
Tyringham,  April,  1837,  and  Rev.  H.  Goodwin  preached 
the  sermon ;  dismissed  from  there,  Jan.  25,  1843 ;  settled  as 
pastor  in  New  Alstead,  N.  H.,  October,  1844,  and  Rev.  Dr. 
Barstow  of  Keene,  N.  H.,  preached  the  sermon ;  dismissed 
from  there,  May  19,  1847 ;  settled  as  pastor  in  Pelham,  Jan- 
uary, 1848,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  R.  Crossett ;  dis- 
missed from  there,  May  9,  1850 ;  settled  as  pastor  in  Hol- 
land, Dec.  3,  1851,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Dr.  Bates 
of  Dudley.     Mr.  Page  is  still  in  Holland. 

12.  Rev.  Jeremiah  Taylor  was  born  in  Hawley,  June  11, 
1817 ;  graduated  at  Amherst  in  1843  ;  finished  his  theolog- 
ical studies  at  Princeton,  N.  J.,  in  1847 ;  was  licensed,  April 
29,  1846,  by  the  Presbytery  of  New  Brunswick,  N.  J. ;  and 
was  settled  as  pastor  in  Wenham,  Oct.  27,  1847,  and  the 
sermon  was  preached  by  his  brother,  the  late  Rev.  Oliver  A. 
Taylor,  and  was  published.  Mr.  Taylor  has  two  brothers, 
who  are  ministers,  of  whom  notices  are  subjoined.  Mr. 
Taylor  is  still  in  Wenham.  He  preached  one  year  at  New 
Brunswick,  N.  J.,  and  was  invited  to  settle  there. 

13.*   Rev.  Oliver  A.  Taylor,  brother  of  Revs.  Jeremiah, 


OF      HAWLEY.  217 

Rufus,  and  Timothy  A.  Taylor,  was  born  at  Yarmouth,  Aug. 
18,  1801 ;  when  about  three  months  old,  his  parents  removed 
with  him  to  Ashfield,  and  when  about  two  years  old,  re- 
moved with  him  to  Hawley ;  graduated  at  Union  in  1825 ; 
finished  the  theological  course  at  Andover  in  1829 ;  resided 
at  Andover  for  some  time  as  a  resident  licentiate  and  as  an 
instructor  in  the  seminary,  and  supplied  different  churches  ; 
received  calls  to  settle  in  several  places,  and  among  others, 
Topsfield,  Braintree,  and  Hatfield ;  ordained  as  an  Evange- 
list at  Newbury,  Nov.  14,  1838;  installed  as  pastor  at  Man- 
chester, Sept.  18,  1839  ;  and  died  while  pastor  of  the  church 
there,  Dec.  18,  1851,  aged  50.  Rev.  Dr.  Crowell  of  Essex 
preached  his  funeral  sermon.  Mr.  Taylor  was  married  to 
Miss  Mary  Cleaveland  of  Topsfield,  Nov.  8,  1843.  His 
brother.  Rev.  Timothy  A.  Taylor,  has  compiled  an  interest- 
ing memoir  of  him,  which  was  published  in  1853. 

The  following  obituary  notice  of  Mr.  Taylor  was  pub- 
lished in  the  Puritan  Recorder  for  Jan.  12,  1852 : — 

"Died  at  Manchester,  Dec.  18,  1851,  Rev.  Oliver  Alden 
Taylor.  He  was  the  eldest  son  of  Jeremiah  and  Martha 
Shaw  Taylor.  He  was  born  at  Yarmouth,  Aug.  18,  1801. 
His  mother  was  the  youngest  daughter  of  Rev.  Timothy  Al- 
den, pastor  of  the  Congregational  church  in  Yarmouth,  and 
grand-daughter  of  Rev.  Holyoke  Weld,  pastor  of  the  church 
in  Attleborough.  His  father  in  the  early  part  of  his  life  fol- 
lowed the  sea,  and  for  some  time  sailed  as  master  of  a  vessel. 

"  Not  long  after  his  marriage,  and  while  Oliver  was  an  in- 
fant, he  returned  from  the  sea  and  entered  upon  agricultural 
pursuits  in  the  western  part  of  the  State.  Owing  to  misfor- 
tunes in  business,  the  father's  means  were  limited,  and  to  the 
mind  of  this  son  the  prospect  became  dark  for  obtaining  even 
a  common  education,  so  far  was  his  home  from  the  district 
school-house,  and  so  new  was  the  country  around.  Having 
no  companions,  he  was  led  to  spend  those  hours  in  reading 
and  study  at  home,  which  are  too  generally  wasted  by  youth 
in  idle  sports.  This  gave  shape  to  his  subsequent  life.  His 
28 


218  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

mother,  devotedly  pious,  was  faithful  in  instilling  into  his 
youthful  heart  religious  instruction.  She  had  indeed,  like 
Hannah,  lent  him  to  the  Lord  before  his  birth. 

"At  the  age  of  fifteen  he  became  deeply  interested  in  the 
subject  of  religion,  and,  as  he  hoped,  gave  his  heart  to  the 
Lord.  In  the  spring  of  1816,  he,  with  fifty-three  others, 
united  with  the  church  in  Hawley,  and  ever  after  main- 
tained a  consistent  christian  character.  As  his  mother  con- 
versed with  him  on  the  advantages  of  a  public  education, 
and  acquainted  him  with  the  fact  that  her  grandfather, 
father,  and  three  brothers  had  been  graduates  at  Harvard 
College,  his  soul  was  inflamed  with  desires  for  like  advan- 
tages. He  borrowed  all  the  books  within  his  reach,  and 
committed  many  portions  of  them  to  memory.  Longing  for 
a  public  education,  he  was  continually  devising  means  for 
securing  it.  Friends  were  found  who  kindly  offered  to  assist 
him.  But  being  the  eldest  son,  the  father  felt  that  his  ser- 
vices at  home  could  not  be  dispensed  with.  He  was  not, 
however,  discouraged ;  but  improved  diligently  every  mo- 
ment of  time  not  spent  in  labor,  in  cultivating  an  acquaint- 
ance with  books,  even  taking  them  into  the  field  with  him, 
,that  no  opportunities  for  study  might  be  lost.  In  this  way  he 
committed  many  portions  of  the  Latin  grammar ;  reciting  it 
to  a  friend  who  kindly  aided  him  in  the  effort.  At  length  the 
desire  of  his  heart  was  gratified.  He  entered  an  academy  in 
a  neighboring  town,  a  few  weeks  before  his  father's  decease. 

"Here  he  prepared  for  college.  His  pecuniary  means 
being  exhausted,  he  borrowed  ten  dollars,  and  commenced  a 
journey  on  foot  of  more  than  five  hundred  miles,  to  Alle- 
ghany College  in  Pennsylvania,  where  he  entered  at  the  age 
of  twenty,  under  the  patronage  of  his  uncle,  the  Rev.  Tim- 
othy Alden,  President  of  the  college.  The  following  year  he 
was  transferred  to  Union  College,  N.  Y.,  where  he  had  grad- 
^uated  in  1825.  His  theological  course  of  study  he  completed 
at  Andover  in  1829.  In  April,  of  the  same  year,  he  was  li- 
<ieused  to  preach  the  gospel  by  the  Presbytery  of  Newbury- 


OF     HAW  LEY.  219 

port  ;  and  in  March,  1838,  was  ordained  as  an  Evangelist 
by  the  same  body.  The  ten  years  intervening  between  his 
licensure  to  preach  and  his  settlement  in  the  ministry,  he 
spent  at  Andover,  in  literary  and  theological  pursuits,  and  in 
preaching  the  gospel  as  opportunity  occurred.  In  1835,  he 
brought  through  the  press,  his  '  Brief  Views  of  the  Saviour 
for  the  Young.'  The  same  year,  he  translated  from  the 
German,  (appending  copious  notes  of  his  own,)  an  elaborate 
work  on  the  '  Music  of  the  Hebrews.'  This,  in  two  arti- 
cles, was  published  in  the  Biblical  Repository  of  that  year. 
These  articles  secured  his  election  to  the  Oriental  Society, 
which  meets  semi-annually  at  Boston,  and  New  Haven,  Ct. 
In  1838,  he  issued  his  '  Catalogue  of  Andover  Theological 
Seminary ;'  concerning  which  work.  Professor  Tholuck  of 
Germany  remarked  to  a  professor  in  that  seminary,  that  'he 
regarded  it  the  best  evidence  of  the  existence  of  ripe  scholar- 
ship in  America,  of  anything  which  had  fallen  under  his  eye.' 

"  At  various  other  times  he  has  prepared  for  the  press  im- 
portant articles.  In  September,  1839,  he  was  installed  pastor 
of  the  Congregational  church  in  Manchester,  where,  after  a 
faithful  and  successful  ministry  of  twelve  years,  he  finished 
his  course  and  departed  to  receive  his  final  reward.  In  ad- 
dition to  his  faithful  labors  as  a  pastor,  he  continued  his  re- 
searches as  a  student,  especially  in  Oriental  literature  and 
Biblical  science,  for  which  he  was  eminently  distinguished. 
In  1844  he  gave  to  the  Sabbath  School  Society  '  The  Memoir 
of  Andrew  Lee.' 

"  In  August,  1851,  he  was  attacked  with  his  last  sickness, 
which  he  bore  with  much  christian  patience  and  resignation. 
At  early  dawn  on  the  day  previous  to  his  death,  he  remarked 
that  he  had  for  some  little  time  been  enjoying  a  wonderful 
visit  from  his  Saviour.  He  said  he  had  had  for  several  days, 
at  about  the  same  time,  sweet  visits,  but  this  seemed  more 
vivid  and  overwhelming  than  any  other.  He  felt  an  inex- 
pressible sense  of  his  own  vileness,  and  a  strong,  all-absorbing 
desire  to  be  lost  in  the  glory  of  God ;  but  what,  more  than 


220  CHURCHES      AND     MINISTERS 

all,  seemed  to  fill  his  whole  soul  was  a  desire  that  God  would 
appear  for  the  conversion  of  his  flock.  '  I  feel,'  he  said,  '  no 
wish  or  desire  but  to  be  wholly  lost  in  the  glory  of  God  ;  and 
if  the  conversion  of  this  people  could  be  brought  about  by 
means  of  my  death,  O,  how  joyfully  would  I  go  this  moment.' 
He  then  for  some  time  prayed  audibly,  with  such  intense 
emotion  as  to  excite  fears  for  the  effect  upon  his  feeble  frame, 
and  the  whole  burden  of  his  prayer  was  for  his  dear  flock, 
exclaiming,  '  O  my  people,  the  flock  thou,  dear  Shepherd, 
hast  committed  to  me.' 

"  There  had  been  read  to  him  for  two  or  three  days  succes- 
sively, passages  from  the  twelfth,  thirteenth  and  fourteenth 
chapters  of  Luke.  He  dwelt  with  great  delight  on  these 
precious  portions  of  scripture,  and  each  time  the  Bible  was 
taken,  he  would  say,  '  Read  right  on  where  you  left  ofl" ;  that 
is  so  sweet.'  He  generally  preferred  those  passages  of  scrip- 
ture which  brought  him  nearest  to  Christ.  On  being  asked 
what  message  he  would  send  to  some  dear  friends,  he  dicta- 
ted the  substance  of  what  has  been  stated  of  his  feelings  in 
the  morning,  and  added,  '  Several  hours  have  elapsed,  and 
those  feelings  and  intense  views  remain  the  same  ;  I  would 
have  them  recorded  for  the  glory  of  God.'  To  his  brother 
who  came  from  a  neighboring  town  to  see  him,  he  said, 
'  You  see  what  we  may  all  be  brought  to.  How  infinitely 
important  that  we  be  in  Christ.' 

'^  Seeming  to  be  conscious  that  his  end  was  near,  he  said, 
'  I  have  no  fear,  I  am  not  in  the  least  agitated,  if  it  is  so.' 
A  few  hours  before  his  death,  the  following  sentence  was,  at 
his  direction,  recorded  in  his  journal :  '  If  I  mistake  not,  this 
is  the  first  time  in  which  I  could  say  with  Job,  Though  he 
slay  me  yet  will  I  trust  him ;  and  with  Isaiah  the  Prophet, 
Here,  Lord,  am  I,  send  me.  Here,  Lord,  (it  is  my  prayer,) 
help  me  to  rest  myself  for  a  time.  Here,  amid  the  billows 
of  temptation,  which  the  adversary  of  souls  may  roll  over 
me,  help  me  to  abide  for  eternity.'  After  this,  amid  great 
distress  of  body,  moments  of  darkness  crowded  into  his  mind, 


OK      HAVVLKY.  221 

but  these  seemed  to  be  lost  sight  of  in  the  all-prevailing  desire 
to  be  absorbed  in  the  glory  of  Christ. 

"  Thus  died  as  he  had  lived,  this  venerated  and  beloved 
servant  of  God,  this  devoted  friend  and  benefactor  of  man. 
Like  Barnabas,  he  was  a  good  man,  and  full  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  of  faith.  To  the  service  and  glory  of  his  Master, 
he  consecrated  all  his  time,  talents,  influence  and  acquire- 
ments ;  sparing  no  pains,  and  shunning  no  sacrifices  that  he 
might  advance  his  kingdom,  and  promote  the  honor  of  his 
name.  His  life  was  laboriously  spent  in  doing  good.  For 
though  hours,  and  days,  and  years  were  spent  in  assiduous 
study,  it  was  not  to  get  glory  to  himself,  but  to  fit  himself 
for  greater  usefulness,  and  bring  more  glory  to  his  Lord,  by 
proclaiming  more' eff'ectually  from  the  pulpit  and  the  press 
the  unsearchable  riches  of  his  grace. 

"As  a  pastor,  he  was  diligent,  watchful,  and  successful. 
As  a  preacher,  he  was  instructive,  earnest,  faithful  and  im- 
pressive. In  the  work  of  the  Lord,  he  was  faithful  unto  the 
end,  neither  halting  in  his  course,  nor  for  a  moment  harbor- 
ing the  thought  of  quitting  his  Master.  When  he  entered 
his  service  it  was  for  life,  rather,  I  should  say,  for  eternity. 
His  ears  were  bored  at  the  door  of  the  church.  The  cove- 
nant he  there  made  was  an  eternal  covenant.  His  heart 
overflowed  with  love,  and,  through  all  succeeding  days,  he 
could  habitually  say,  '  I  love  my  master  and  will  not  go  out 
free.'  Yet  he  was  deeply  sensible  of  many  deficiencies  in 
duty,  and  daily  bewailed  his  sins  before  the  Lord.  He 
counted  not  himself  to  have  apprehended,  nor  to  be  already 
perfect,  but  this  one  thing  he  did,  forgetting  those  things 
which  were  behind,  and  reaching  forth  unto  those  things 
which  were  before,  he  pressed  toward  the  mark  for  the 
prize  of  the  high  calling  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus.  And 
in  no  way,  and  by  no  means  was  he  more  diligent  in  run- 
ning the  christian  race,  than  in  humbly  waiting  upon  God 
without  ceasing,  for  his  Spirit  to  enlighten,  direct,  sanctify, 
and  strengthen  him.     He  was  evidently  much  in  prayer,  as 


222  CHURCHES      AND     MINISTERS 

appeared  from  his  habitually  devout  frame  of  mind,  as  well 
as  from  the  sacred  unction  spread  over  all  his  ministerial  and 
christian  services.  It  was  owing  doubtless  to  this  habit  of 
prayer,  as  well  as  to  other  means,  that  he  was  so  remarkably 
diligent  and  successful  as  a  scholar  ;  according  to  the  chris- 
tian axiom,  '  Be?ie  wrasse  est  bene  studuisse.^  With  an  ardent 
thirst  for  knowledge,  and  with  capacities  for  acquiring  and 
possessing  it,  he  richly  stored  his  mind  with  its  treasures, 
especially  in  all  the  departments  of  literature  connected  with 
theology.  This  rendered  his  conversation  entertaining  and 
profitable,  and  the  productions  of  his  pen  highly  instructive, 
useful,  and  interesting,  and  qualified  him  to  be  eminently  suc- 
cessful in  all  his  pulpit  performances.  But  his  chief  and 
crowning  excellence  ivas,  that  he  brought  all  his  attainments, 
and  all  his  powers  of  body  and  mind,  and  laid  them  at  the 
feet  of  Jesus  to  be  used  only  in  his  service  and  for  the  pro- 
motion of  his  glory.  He  was  a  humble,  devoted,  zealous  and 
faithful  servant  of  Jesus  Christ." 

14.  Rev.  Rufiis  Taylor  was  born  in  Hawley,  March  24, 
1811  ;  graduated  at  Amherst,  1837  ;  finished  the  theological 
course  at  Princeton,  N.  J.,  in  1840  ;  licensed,  March  25, 
1840,  by  the  Presbytery  of  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.  ;  ordained 
as  pastor  in  Shrewsbury,  N.  J.,  Nov.  10,  1840  ;  dismissed 
from  there,  March  31,  1852  ;  and  installed  pastor  in  Man- 
chester, May  6,  1852,  and  the  sermon  was  by  his  brother. 
Rev.  T.  A.  Taylor.     He  still  remains  in  Manchester. 

15.  Rev.  Timothy  A.  Taylor  was  born  in  Hawley,  Sept. 
7,  1809  ;  graduated  at  Amherst  in  1835  ;  and  finished  the 
theological  course  at  Andover  in  1838 ;  settled  as  pastor  in 
Slatersville,  R.  I.,  Jan.  23,  1839,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Thomas 
Shepard  of  Bristol,  R.  I.,  preached  the  sermon.  Among  the 
works  published  by  Mr.  Taylor  are  the  following,  viz.  : 
"The  Solace,"  "  Zion,"  "  Zion's  Pathway,"  "  The  Bible 
View  of  the  Death  Penalty,"  and  the  Memoir  of  his  brother. 
Rev.  O.  A.  Taylor.  Mr.  Taylor  still  preaches  in  Slaters- 
ville, R.  I. 


OF      HAWLEY.  223 

16.*  Rev.  Thomas  H.  Wood  was  born  in  Norwich.  Ct., 
(in  that  part  of  it  now  incorporated  as  Bozrah,)  Dec.  11, 
1772 ;  with  his  parents  removed  to  Hawley  in  1775  ;  grad- 
uated at  Williams  in  1799  ;  studied  theology  with  Rev.  Dr. 
Lyman  of  Hatfield  ;  licensed  by  Hampshire  Association, 
April  26,  1803  ;  preached  in  Oxford  and  in  Lebanon,  N.  Y.  ; 
ordained  as  an  Evangelist  at  Amherst,  May  2,  1804,  and 
the  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  John  Emerson  of  Conway, 
and  was  published  ;  in  1804  spent  several  months  as  a  mis- 
sionary in  Maine  ;  in  1805  took  a  missionary  tour  in  the 
State  of  New  York  ;  was  settled  as  pastor  in  Halifax,  Vt., 
Sept.  17,  1806,  and  died  while  pastor  in  that  place,  Dec.  26, 
1842,  aged  71. 

The  following  notice  of  Mr.  Wood  is  an  extract  from  a 
historical  discourse  preached  by  Rev.  Alpheus  Graves,  his 
colleague  :  "  During  Mr.  Wood's  ministry,  one  hundred  and 
thirty  united  with  the  church  by  profession,  all  but  ten  of 
whom  were  baptized  in  infancy,  and  twenty-four  united 
with  the  church  by  letter,  making  in  all  one  hundred  and 
fifty-four.  The  number  of  children  baptized  during  his 
ministry  is  one  hundred  and  thirty-five.  The  education  of 
young  men  received  his  special  attention,  nine  of  whom 
from  his  own  society  fitted  for  college  with  him,  besides  a 
considerable  number  from  adjoining  towns.  Six  became 
ministers  of  the  gospel,  who  grew  up  under  his  ministry. 
Of  the  young  men  from  abroad  who  studied  with  him,  were 
Jonas  King,  of  the  Greek  Mission,  Nathan  Brown,  of  the 
Baptist  Mission  in  Burmah,  and  Abner  Hazleton,  who  was 
afterwards  a  member  of  Congress.  *  *  *  Mr.  Wood  is  re- 
membered among  his  people  as  having  been  a  faithful  and 
beloved  pastor,  a  preacher  of  sound  doctrine,  decidedly  Cal- 
vinistic.  His  sermons  are  said  to  have  been  methodical  in 
the  arrangement,  always  written  out,  and  delivered  with  a 
full  and  distinct  enunciation.  In  his  intercourse  with  his 
people  he  was  familiar,  yet  sustained  his  dignity  as  a  minister. 
He  was  fond  of  society,  especially  that  of  his  ministerial 


224  CHURCHES      AND      MINISTERS 

brethren.  In  relating  anecdotes,  with  which  his  mind  was 
well  furnished,  he  was  peculiarly  apt.  Kindness  and  gener- 
osity were  prominent  traits  of  character  ;  the  latter  of  which 
he  possessed,  perhaps,  to  a  fault. 

"  Mr.  Wood  was  married  twice  ;  had  six  children  who 
lived  to  adult  years,  four  by  his  first  wife  and  two  by  his 
second  wife.  Three  of  his  children  united  with  the  church 
during  his  life.*' 

The  following  obituary  notice  of  him  was  published  in 
the  New  York  Observer  for  Jan.  28,  1843  :  "  For  thirty-two 
years  he  performed  the  sacred  functions  of  the  pastoral 
office  with  great  wisdom  and  fidelity  ;  and  many  souls 
through  his  instrumentality  were  made  trophies  of  the  Re- 
deemer's grace.  During  the  last  four  years  of-  his  life,  God, 
in  his  wise  Providence,  laid  him  aside  from  his  active  labors 
by  an  illness  of  epilepsy.  But  his  earnest  solicitude  for  the 
prosperity  of  his  flock  was  unceasing.  The  cause  of  benev- 
olence, in  its  various  departments,  lay  near  hi$  heart.  The 
education  of  pious  youth  for  the  gospel  ministry  received  his 
special  attention  ;  and  a  large  number  of  them,  some  of 
whom  are  among  the  first  and  most  efficient  missionaries  in 
foreign  climes,  have  received  essential  aid  from  his  instruc- 
tions. *  *  *  In  anticipation  of  leaving  his  family  and  the 
dear  people  of  his  charge,  he  often  expressed  great  joy  that 
the  Lord  reigns.  For  some  time  previous  to  his  departure, 
the  communion  of  glorified  saints,  whom  he  loved  while  on 
the  earth,  the  holy  society  of  the  Triune  God  and  angels, 
was  the  exalted  theme  of  his  contemplation.  *  *  *  As  a 
faithful  and  beloved  pastor,  as  a  preacher  of  sound  doctrine, 
his  name  will  long  be  venerated  by  the  christian  church  and 
community.  He  survived  all  the  ministers  of  the  county 
who  held  the  pastoral  office  at  the  time  of  his  installation. 
The  funeral  obsequies  were  performed  on  the  28th  ult., 
(Dec.  28,  1842.)  The  Rev.  Mr.  Graves,  the  colleague  of 
the  deceased,  delivered  an  appropriate  sermon  from  Ps.  xvii. 
15,   'I  shall  be  satisfied  when  I  awake  with  thy  likeness.' 


OF     HEATH.  225 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Walker  succeeded  with  an  hnpressive  address 
suited  to  the  occasion.  The  services  were  attended  with 
deep  solemnity,  in  the  presence  of  a  large  concourse  of  sym- 
pathizing friends."  Both  of  Mr.  Wood's  wives,  and  his 
eldest  son,  have  deceased.  One  of  his  daughters  is  the  wife 
of  Rev.  Edward  F.  Brooks  of  Gill.  His  remains,  and  those 
of  his  predecessor,  Rev.  Jesse  Edson,  lie  within  a  few  rods 
of  the  pulpit  where  they  preached  the  gospel. 

Of  the  sixteen  ministers  here  reckoned  as  the  sons  of 
Hawley,  twelve  were  natives  of  the  town  ;  fifteen  were 
graduates  of  colleges ;  all  were  ordained  ;  and  twelve  are 
living. 

Rev.  Alvah  Lilley,  who  is  noticed  in  the  sketches  of 
Ashfield  ministers  as  a  native  of  that  town,  lived  in  Hawley 
after  he  was  about  eight  years  of  age  till  manhood. 

OTHER    DENOMINATIONS. 

It  is  not  known  that  any  other  church  or  religious  society, 
except  the  two  of  the  Congregational  order,  has  been  organ- 
ized in  Hawley. 

Methodists.  In  past  years,  Methodist  meetings  have 
been  held  occasionally  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  town. 
Three  Methodist  ministers,  viz..  Revs.  Judah  Crosby,  Silas 
Leonard,  and  Proctor  Marsh,  originated  from  Hawley. 

Summary  of  preachers  originating  from  Hawley  :  Congre- 
gationalists,  16  ;  Methodists,  3.     Total,  19. 

HEATH. 

A  large  portion  of  the  territory  of  this  town  was  formerly 
included  in  Charlemont,  and,  "  together  with  a  large  forest 
unsold,"  is  said  to  have  belonged  to  proprietors  in  England. 
"  One  of  the  cordon  of  forts  built  in  1744,  for  defence  against 
the  Indians,  was  situated  in  this  town,  and  called  Fort  Shir- 
ley.^'' The  town  was  incorporated  Feb.  14,  1785,  and 
named  after  General  Heath  of  Roxbury,  then  an  influential 
29 


226  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

member  of  the  General  Court.  Some  parts  of  the  town 
began  to  be  settled  about  a  century  ago.  Its  population  in 
1850  was  803.  Four  churches  have  been  organized  in 
Heath,  viz.,  two  Orthodox  Congregational,  one  Baptist, 
and  one  Unitarian. 

CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

Previous  to  the  incorporation  of  this  town,  the  people 
worshiped  with  the  people  of  Charlemont,  under  the  minis- 
try of  Rev.  Jonathan  Leavitt,  and  their  house  of  worship 
was  situated  in  what  is  now  Heath.  After  the  incorporation 
of  the  town,  and  Mr.  Leavitt's  dismission,  they  were  supplied 
several  years  by  various  preachers  before  they  settled  a 
pastor. 

First  Church.  The  church  was  organized  April  15, 
1785,  with  35  members,  20  males  and  15  females.  The 
j\Ieeting-house  in  which  the  people  of  Charlemont  and  Heath 
had  worshiped  together  was  removed,  in  1789,  to  the  centre 
of  Heath,  and  used  as  a  house  of  worship  till  1833,  when 
the  second  and  present  house  was  built,  a  few  rods  north  of 
the  site  of  the  other.  Numerous  revivals  have  been  enjoyed 
among  this  people,  viz.,  in  1792,  and  78  added  to  the  church  ; 
in  1797,  and  11  added;  in  1800,  and  40  added;  in  1808, 
and  30  added  ;  in  1816,  1817,  and  1818,  and  26  added  ;  in 
1822  and  1823,  and  121  added;  in  1827,  and  8  added  :  in 
1828,  and  23  added  ;  in  1829,  and  8  added  ;  in  1830,  and  30 
added  ;  in  1831,  and  54  added  ;  in  1832,  and  10  added  ;  in 
1848,  and  30  added.  Rev.  Moses  Miller,  in  a  historical  dis- 
course delivered  in  Heath,  Oct.  13,  1852,  says  of  the  church, 
in  reference  to  the  period  from  about  1830  to  1832 :  '•  At 
this  time  it  contained  a  few  more  members  than  any  other 
in  the  county,  and,  probably,  in  the  State,  according  to  our 
population."  '■  The  population  at  this  period  was  a  few  less 
than  1200.  This  church  had  then  316  members,  the  Baptist 
church  about  100,  and  other  denominations  a  few.  Nearly 
one  half  of  the  population  of  our  society  were  professors  of 


OF     HEATH.  227 

religion,  and  a  large  majority  of  the  adult  population.  More 
than  a  third  of  the  population  of  the  town,  and  the  majority 
of  its  adults,  were  professors  of  religion." 

Coimcils  were  called  for  the  settlement  of  difficulties, 
March  6,  1844,  and  June  9,  1846.  The  amount  contributed 
by  this  people  to  the  cause  of  benevolence  in  1853  was  $64 
27.  The  Sabbath  School  in  1852  numbered  154.  The 
number  in  the  church  in  1853  was  117.  The  following 
ministers  have  been  invited  to  settle  as  pastors  of  this  church, 
who  declined  to  settle,  viz..  Rev.  Lucius  R.  Eastman,  Oct.  5, 
1837 ;  Rev.  Mr.  Carver,  Feb.  5,  1838 ;  Rev.  C.  Coburn,  July 
25,  1838  ;  Rev.  Zolva  Whitmore,  April  13,  1848.  In  the 
sixty-eight  years  since  the  organization  of  this  church,  it  has 
been  supplied  with  pastors  about  fifty-four  years,  and  has 
been  destitute  of  the  same  about  fourteen  years.  This  church 
has  had  six  pastors. 

Pastors.  1.*  Rev.  Joseph  Strong  was  settled  as  the 
first  pastor  of  this  church,  Oct.  27,  1790,  and  was  dismissed 
from  there,  June  10,  1803.  He  was  born  in  Granby,  Conn., 
April  7,  1756,  and  was  the  son  of  Rev.  Joseph  Strong,  who 
was  a  pastor  in  Granby,  Ct.,  and  afterwards  in  Williamsburg. 
He  graduated  at  Yale  in  1784 ;  studied  theology  with  his 
father  ;  was  licensed  by  Hampshire  Association,  Aug.  2,  1785  ; 
preached  as  a  missionary  in  Maine  before  going  to  Heath ; 
after  his  dismission  from  Heath  he  lived  at  South  Hadley, 
and  performed  a  mission  in  Maine  in  1803 ;  was  a  settled 
pastor  in  Eastbury,  a  parish  in  Glastenbury,  Ct.,  from  1806 
to  1818;  then  lived  in  Belchertown ;  then  lived  again  in 
South  Hadley ;  and  in  1823  preached  in  Preble,  N.  Y.  ;  and 
died  at  the  house  of  his  son.  Professor  Theodore  Strong,  in 
Clinton,  N.  Y.,  Dec.  19,  1823,  in  his  68th  year.  His  re- 
mains, and  those  of  his  wife,  were  removed  to  South  Hadley 
about  seven  years  ago,  and  a  neat  monument  marks  the  spot 
where  they  lie  interred.  Several  revivals  were  enjoyed  under 
his  ministration,  both  at  Heath  and  at  Eastbury,  Ct. 

Mr.  Benjamin  W.  Dwight,  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  his  grand- 


228  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

son,  says  of  him :  "  He  was  remaikablj^  meek,  tender- 
hearted, conscientious,  and  devoted  to  his  work.  He  was 
poor  like  most  clergymen,  and  worked  quite  a  large  farm, 
and  that,  too,  generally  by  himself  without  help,  in  order  to 
support  his  large  family  of  nine  children  ;  laboring  on  the 
farm  by  day,  and  writing  his  sermons  by  night.  He  was 
particularly  apt,  tender,  and  pathetic  at  funerals,  and  was 
therefore  sent  for  on  such  occasions  from  far  and  near.  He 
was  also  at  all  times  remarkably  interesting  in  prayer.  All 
who  knew  him  regarded  him  as  a  sympathizing  friend  and  a 
righteous  man.  His  great  desire  in  life  was  to  preach  the 
gospel  even  to  his  dying  day.  He  died  of  the  liver  com- 
plaint, which  had  been  of  long  standing.  He  died  an  ex- 
ceedingly happy  death ;  being  in  full  consciousness,  and 
rejoicing  with  joy  beyond  expression.-'  His  son.  Professor 
Theodore  Strong,  now  in  New  Brunswick  College,  N.J.,  says 
of  him  ;  "  He  loved  to  preach  the  gospel,  and  the  aim  of  his 
life  was  to  glorify  God  in  all  things;  yet  he  was  so  modest 
that  he  seldom  spoke  of  himself,  so  that  an  estimate  of  his 
character  was  to  be  formed  from  what  he  did,  rather  than  ' 
from  his  profession."  Six  of  his  children,  three  sons  in  pro- 
fessional life,  and  three  daughters,  are  living.  Mr.  Strong's 
pastorate  in  Heath  was  about  twelve  years. 

2.  Rev.  Moses  Miller  was  settled  as  the  second  pastor, 
Dec.  26,  1804,  and  the  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Joseph 
Field  and  was  published.  After  a  ministry  of  about  thirty- 
five  years,  the  last  two  of  which  a  colleague  pastor  was  as- 
sociated with  him,  he  was  dismissed  from  Heath,  April  21, 
1840.  Mr.  Miller  was  born  in  Worcester,  Nov.  23,  1776  ; 
graduated  at  Brown  in  1800  ;  studied  theology  at  the  same 
institution  ;  after  leaving  Heath  was  installed  as  pastor  in 
West  Hawley,  May  20,  1840,  and  was  dismissed  from  there, 
Oct.  20,  1846  ;  from  1846  to  184S  preached  in  Nunda,  N.  Y., 
and  Portage,  N.  Y. ;  for  several  years  past  has  been  living 
with  his  son-in-law,  Rev.  Washington  A.  Nickols,  in  Brook- 
field.     He  preached  a  sermon  before  the  Missionary  Society 


OF     HEATH.  229 

at  Northampton  in  1824,  which  was  published  ;  and  his  His- 
torical Discourse,  delivered  in  Heath  in  1852,  was  published. 
He  was  married  to  Miss  Bethiah  Ware  of  Conway,  Oct.  13, 
1806;  and  she  died  in  Portage,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  17,  1848,  aged 
69.  Three  only  of  his  nine  children  are  living.  His  son, 
Thomas  Spencer,  died  while  a  tutor  in  Amherst  College. 
One  of  his  daughters  married  Rev.  W.  A.  Nickols ;  and  an- 
other married  Rev.  Lemuel  Leonard. 

3.  Rev.  Calvin  Butler  was  settled  as  the  third  pastor, 
and  as  a  colleague  with  Rev.  Moses  Miller,  Oct.  31,  1838, 
.and  after  a  ministry  of  about  one  year  and  a  half  was  dis- 
missed, March  17,  1840.  Mr.  Butler  was  born  in  Pelham, 
N.  H.,  April  25,  1810;  graduated  at  Dartmouth  in  1834; 
finished  the  theological  course  at  Andover  in  1837  ;  before 
going  to  Heath  preached  in  Richmond,  N.  H.,  and  in  Sacca- 
rappa.  Me. ;  after  leaving  Heath  preached  six  months  in  1840 
in  Burlington,  Ct.  ;  then  supplied  a  year  in  Salisbury,  Vt. ; 
in  1841  was  installed  pastor  in  Bristol,  Yt.,  and  Rev.  James 
Meacham  preached  the  sermon  ;  was  dismissed  from  there, 
Sept.  6,  1845  ;  then  took  charge  of  an  Academy  in  Salem,  N. 
Y. ;  in  September,  1851,  removed  to  Somerville,  N.  J.,  where 
he  still  resides,  having  charge  of  a  Young  Ladies'  Institute. 
Rev.  Francis  Danforth  preached  his  ordination  sermon  at 
Heath.  Mr.  Butler  buried  a  son  three  years  of  age  at  Salem, 
N.  Y.,  in  1846. 

4,*  Rev.  Samuel  M.  Emerson  was  settled  as  the  fourth 
pastor,  Sept.  16,  1840,  and  after  a  ministry  of  ten  months  died 
in  Heath,  July  20,  1841,  aged  55.  Mr.  Emerson  was  the 
son  of  Rev.  John  Emerson,  of  Conway,  and  was  born  in 
that  town,  Nov.  17,  1785 ;  graduated  at  Williams  in  1810, 
and  was  tutor  in  that  college  from  1812  to  1814;  studied 
theology  at  the  same  institution ;  was  ordained  as  pastor  in 
Chester,  Feb.  1,  1815,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Joseph 
Field,  his  brother-in-law,  which  was  published ;  was  dis- 
missed from  Chester,  Dec.  1,  1818  ;  was  installed  as  pastor  at 
Manchester,  Sept.  12,  1821,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Dr. 


230  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

Justin  Edwards ;  and  was  dismissed  from  there,  Sept,  18,  1839. 
He  published  one  sermon  in  1825  on  "  Redeeming  the  Time." 
He  was  licensed  in  June,  1815.  He  studied  theology  under 
the  direction  of  President  Fitch,  of  Williams  College.  The 
following  is  from  an  obituary  of  him,  written  by  Rev.  Oliver 
A.  Taylor,  his  successor  at  Manchester,  and  published  in  the 
Boston  Recorder : — 

"  Mr.  Emerson  was  the  youngest  son  of  the  late  Rev.  John 
Emerson  of  Conway,  and  grandson  of  the  Rev.  Joseph  Em- 
erson of  Maiden,  and  great-grandson  of  the  Rev.  Joseph  Em- 
erson of  Mendon.  His  paternal  grand-mother  was  a  daughter 
of  the  Rev.  Samuel  Moody  of  York,  in  Maine,  who  was 
highly  distinguished  in  his  day  for  piety,  zeal  and  faith- 
fulness. 

"  Of  the  early  life  of  Mr.  Emerson  we  have  no  particular 
information.  He  made  a  public  profession  of  religion  soon 
after  he  left  college.  His  appointment  to  the  office  of  tutor, 
in  the  college  where  he  received  his  education,  is  decisive 
evidence  of  the  purity  of  his  character,  and  the  respectability 
of  his  standing  as  a  scholar.  During  his  ministry  at  Chester, 
he  was  esteemed  as  a  young  man  of  more  than  ordinary  tal- 
ents, and  greatly  beloved  for  his  simplicity,  zeal  and  force  as 
a  preacher,  and  for  his  kindness  and  fidelity  as  a  pastor.  But 
his  useful  labors  there  were  cut  short  by  the  failure  of  his 
health,  which  induced  him  to  resign  his  charge. 

"Having  regained  his  health,  he  entered  a  second  time 
upon  the  duties,  responsibilities  and  trials  of  the  pastoral 
office  ;  and  after  laboring  in  Manchester  19  years,  his  health 
again  failed,  and  he  was  again  constrained,  by  a  painful 
sense  of  duty,  to  request  a  dismission  from  his  flock,  many 
of  whom  cherish  his  memory  with  great  affection,  and  will 
not  soon  forget  his  fervent  instructions,  warnings  and  prayers 
from  the  pulpit,  in  the  social  meeting,  and  from  house  to 
house.  After  a  few  months,  his  health  was  so  far  restored, 
that  he  was  induced  to  accept  an  invitation  from  a  church 
and  parish  in  Heath,  to  settle  with  them  in  the  ministry. 


OF     HEATH.  231 

They  had  suflered  much  from  division  and  strife,  and  many 
had  almost  despaired  of  ever  having  the  ministrations  of  the 
gospel  established  again  among  them.  But  so  favorably  im- 
pressed were  they  with  the  preaching  of  Mr.  Emerson,  that 
the  call  they  gave  him  was  given  with  perfect  unanimity. 
Under  such  encouraging  auspices,  did  he  enter  this  new  field 
of  labor.  And  the  manner  in  which  he  did  his  work,  is  thus 
described  by  an  intelligent  gentleman  on  the  ground.  '  In 
the  pulpit  he  was  distinguished  for  the  clearness  and  variety 
of  the  truths  presented,  and  the  holy  fervor  with  which  he 
endeavored  to  impress  them  upon  the  hearts  and  consciences 
of  his  hearers.  Every  sermon  seemed  to  manifest  a  desire 
to  discharge  his  whole  duty.  His  appeals  were  uniformly 
affectionate,  as  well  as  urgent,  and,  in  this  respect,  I  know 
not  that  I  ever  heard  his  equal.  The  youth  of  Heath  had 
been  inclined  to  the  idea  that  the  terrors  of  the  law  were  too 
often  presented  from  the  sacred  desk.  Mr.  Emerson  did  not 
refrain  to  present  the  consequences  of  incorrigible  impeni- 
tence with  clearness  and  force.  But  he  loved  especially  to 
dwell  upon  the  theme  of  a  Saviour's  love.  The  youth  of  his 
congregation,  particularly,  will  not  soon  forget  what  interest 
he  manifested  in  their  spiritual  welfare,  and  with  what  glow- 
ing fervor  he  portrayed  before  them  the  compassion  of  a  Sa- 
viour. But  I  cannot  do  justice  to  that,  which  nothing  but 
the  eye  and  ear  can  duly  appreciate.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that 
we  always  went  to  church  expecting  to  be  instructed  and 
fed,  and  never  went  away  feeling  that  we  had  received  less 
than  we  had  hoped. 

'•  He  was  frequent  in  his  parochial  visits,  and  the  desire 
which  his  people  manifested  for  his  society  was  made  evi- 
dent by  the  fact,  that,  in  mid-winter,  they  would  go  for  him 
through  the  deep  snows  two,  three,  or  four  miles,  and  carry 
him  back  in  their  vehicles.  The  sick  and  dying  found  him 
an  affectionate  friend  and  a  faithful  pastor,  and  mourners 
loved  to  listen  to  his  sympathetic  and  appropriate  addresses. 
The  sermons  he  preached  on  several  of  the  Sabbaths  before 


232  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

his  labors  closed,  seemed  like  the  last  efforts  of  a  faithful 
preacher.  Said  Mrs.  Emerson,  '  It  really  startled  me  to  hear 
him  express  such  clear  views  of  the  joys  of  heaven,  of  the 
character  of  God,  and  the  love  of  a  Saviour.  It  seemed  a 
premonition  that  he  had  not  long  to  stay  on  earth.' 

"  In  the  month  of  June,  1841,  Mr.  Emerson  was  induced 
to  visit  Saratoga,  and  try  the  efficacy  of  its  waters  upon  his 
impaired  and  declining  health.  Those  waters,  instead  of 
mitigating  the  severity  of  his  disease,  appeared  to  aggravate 
it  and  to  hasten  its  crisis.  With  much  difficulty  he  returned 
from  the  springs  to  his  family  at  Heath,  and  in  three  weeks 
from  the  time  of  reaching  his  home,  he  closed  the  last  scene 
of  life,  and  entered,  as  we  believe,  into  the  reward  of  a  faith- 
ful steward. 

"An  extract  we  are  permitted  to  make  from  a  letter 
written  by  his  surviving  widow,  three  weeks  after  his  death, 
to  a  friend  in  Manchester,  will  show  the  state  of  his  mind, 
when  in  the  prospect  of  a  speedy  dissolution." 

"My  dear  Mrs.  L., — It  is  with  a  trembling  hand  and  a 
bleeding  heart,  that  I  attempt  to  answer  your  very  kind, 
affectionate  and  sympathizing  letter.  Could  I  seat  myself 
beside  you  this  evening,  in  your  retired  chamber,  I  would 
rehearse  to  you  the  dealings  of  God  with  us  since  I  saw  you 
last.  I  would  tell  you  of  the  many  blessings  that  have  been 
showered  upon  us,  of  the  union  among  the  people  here,  and 
how  much  my  dear  husband  was  encouraged  and  animated 
with  the  belief,  that,  in  the  providence  of  God,  he  was 
placed  in  a  part  of  his  vineyard  where  he  was  doing  as  much 
to  advance  the  cause  of  Christ,  as  at  any  period  of  his  min- 
istry ;  and  of  his  high  hopes  and  expectations  of  confirmed 
health  and  usefulness.  I  would  tell  you,  too,  of  his  perfect 
composure  and  resignation,  when  his  health  failed,  and 
symptoms  became  so  alarming,  that  he  gave  up  all  hopes  of 
recovery — and  not  only  of  his  resignation,  but  perfect  cheer- 
fulness, when  making  his  arrangements  for  leaving  his  dear 
people  and  family.     His  confidence  in  God  was  firm  and  un- 


OF     HEATH.  233 

shaken.  When  looking  at  death  and  into  the  grave,  he  said 
there  was  no  gloom  about  it.  He  expressed  great  delight  at 
the  thought  of  being  where  he  would  no  longer  be  liable  to 
sin  against  God.  At  one  time,  he  said  to  me,  '/  do  not  knoio 
that  I  am  a  christiaii,  but  I  do  knoiv  that  I  love  the  cause  of 
Christ ;  I  know  that  I  love  the  people  of  God ;  and  love  to 
promote  the  cause  of  Christ  better  than  everything  else.^ 

"  Ever  after  his  return  from  Saratoga,  he  told  me  he 
should  not  recover,  and  conversed  with  me  freely  and  fre- 
quently upon  the  subject  of  our  separation,  and  made  such 
arrangements  as  he  judged  best  for  his  family,  with  as  much 
calmness  as  he  would  in  preparing  for  a  short  journey.  But 
as  it  was  not  unusual  for  him  to  feel  discouraged  when  sick, 
this  did  not  alarm  me  as  much  as  it  otherwise  would.  His 
sickness  did  not  confine  him  to  his  bed,  nor  even  to  his 
house.  He  was  abroad  for  exercise  but  two  days  before  his 
death.  The  last  day  of  his  life  was  a  day  of  ease  and  com- 
fort. We  were  all  encouraged  to  hope  that  he  would  soon 
recover.  Sitting  in  his  chair,  and  while  engaged  in  giving 
me  some  directions  about  his  medicine,  he  suddenly  dropped 
his  head  upon  my  arm,  and,  without  a  gasp,  was  gone !  O, 
if  I  were  with  you,  I  might  attempt  to  describe  the  surprise, 
the  anguish  of  the  scene.  My  poor  bleeding  heart  has  re- 
ceived a  wound  that  can  never  be  healed.  Each  day's  ex- 
perience confirms  the  truth,  that  I  am  alone.  O,  the  bitter 
pang  of  separation  !  I  am  overwhelmed  with  grief — my 
heart  is  wrung  with  anguish.  But  I  desire  to  be  still,  and 
feel  that  my  Heavenly  Father  has  done  it,  and  be  resigned 
to  his  holy  will.  I  would  not  be  unmindful  of  his  goodness 
in  sparing  my  dear  husband  to  me  so  long,  nor  of  the  many 
comforts  that  yet  remain.  I  have  many  kind  and  sympa- 
thizing friends  who  do  all  in  their  power  to  alleviate  my 
sorrow ;  but  they  cannot  heal  the  wound  that  death  has 
made.  I  thank  you  for  your  kind  sympathies  and  prayers, 
and  beg  you  would  continue  to  pray  that  I  may  not  dis- 
30 


234  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

honor  religion  by  inordinate  grief,  nor  provoke  God  to  re- 
move the  comforts  that  remain." 

"  The  theological  opinions  of  Mr.  Emerson  were  strictly 
evangelical,  and,  with  him,  they  were  not  orthodoxy  in  an 
iceberg,  but  truths  that  warmed  his  aifections,  quickened  his 
moral  sense,  directed  the  energies  of  his  mind,  and  con- 
trolled the  actions  of  his  life.  His  preaching  was  character- 
ized by  simplicity,  earnestness,  directness  and  pungency, 
rather  than  by  elaborate  discussion,  beauty  of  style,  logical 
precision,  or  metaphysical  abstraction.  His  discourses  were 
highly  practical  and  experimental,  drawn  from  the  pure 
fountain  of  God's  word,  and  such  as  he  is  wont  to  bless  to 
the  conversion  of  sinners,  and  the  edification  of  them  that 
believe.  His  labor  was,  accordingly,  crowned  with  success. 
Large  accessions  were  made  to  the  church  at  Manchester, 
during  his  ministry  there,  and  many,  who  went  before  him, 
or  shall  follow  after  him,  will  be  his  crown  of  rejoicing  in 
the  day  of  the  Lord." 

Mr.  Emerson's  death  was  sudden.  Rev.  Horatio  Flagg 
preached  his  funeral  sermon.  The  following  epitaph  is  on 
liis  gravestone  : — "  An  affectionate  husband,  a  kind  father, 
au  a-ctive  and  faithful  pastor,  a  disinterested  man,  a  devoted 
christian.  His  life  was  sincere  and  benevolent.  In  death 
he  was  resigned  and  happy."  He  was  married  in  1815  to 
Miss  Charlotte  Bulkley  of  Colchester,  Ct.,  who  died  in  Wil- 
liamstown  in  1848.  Mr.  Emerson  left  four  children,  one  of 
whom  is  a  lawyer  in  Great  Barrington. 

5.  Rev.  Josiah  Fisher  was  settled  as  the  fifth  pastor, 
Sept.  7,  1842,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Samuel  Harris  ; 
and  he  was  dismissed  from  Heath,  Aug.  27,  1845,  after  a 
ministry  of  about  three  years.  Mr.  Fisher  is  the  son  of 
Rev.  Jonathan  Fisher,  once  a  pastor  in  Bluehill,  Me.,  and 
was  born  in  that  town  in  1802 ;  graduated  at  Bowdoin  in 
1828;  completed  the  theological  course  at  Andover  in 
1831;  was  licensed  in  Boston,  April  26,  1831 ;  was  ordained 
,as  pastor  in  Orono,  Me.,  March  15,  1832,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Tap- 


OF      HEATH.  235 

pan  of  Augusta,  Me.,  preached  the  sermon;  was  climissed 
from  there  in  1835 ;  then  preached  as  a  missionary  in 
Maine  ;  in  1836  was  settled  as  pastor  at  Clyde,  N.  Y.,  and 
Rev.  Dr.  Hay  of  Geneva,  N.  Y.,  preached  the  sermon  ;  was 
dismissed  from  there  in  a  few  years  ;  then  supplied  a  year 
or  two  in  Huron,  N.  Y.  Since  leaving  Heath,  Mr.  Fisher 
resided  in  Greenbush,  N.  Y.,  till  1850,  preaching  occasion- 
ally, and  having  charge  of  an  Academy  for  about  two  years  ; 
in  April,  1851,  was  installed  pastor  in  Succasunna,  N.  J., 
where  he  is  still  a  pastor. 

6.  Rev.  Alpheus  Graves  was  settled  as  the  sixth  pastor, 
June  18,  1851.  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  T.  Packard,  Jr. 
Mr.  Graves  was  born  in  Sunderland,  March  15,  1815 ; 
studied  at  Union  College,  but  did  not  graduate ;  finished  his 
theological  studies  at  East  Windsor  Hill  in  1841  ;  was 
licensed  by  Franklin  Association,  Aug.  12,  1840 ;  was  or- 
dained pastor  in  Halifax,  Vt.,  Nov.  10,  1841 ;  dismissed  from 
there  in  April,  1851;  and  is  now  in  the  third  year  of  his 
ministry  at  Heath. 

Before  the  settlement  of  Mr.  Strong,  the  first  pastor  of 
this  church,  the  people  in  Heath  were  supplied  a  part  of  the 
time  by  Rev.  Jonathan  Leavitt,  who  was  a  pastor  in  Charle- 
mont  when  that  town  and  Heath  were  one  town  and  had 
but  one  church.  This  people  were  supplied  with  preaching 
previous  to  Mr.  Miller's  settlement  for  a  few  Sabbaths  by 
Rev.  Ebenezer  Tucker,  who  became  a  Unitarian,  and  died 
in  Heath,  Jan.  14,  1848,  aged  84.  Between  the  pastorates 
of  Mr.  Fisher  and  Mr.  Graves,  Rev.  A.  A.  Gaylord  supplied 
a  few  Sabbaths,  and  Rev.  Dana  Good'sell  a  few  months  ;  and 
Rev.  Zolva  Whitmore  about  two  years  and  a  half. 

Of  the  six  pastors  of  this  church,  four  were  dismissed ; 
four  are  living  ;  and  the  average  length  of  their  pastorates 
in  Heath  was  about  nine  years  and  a  half. 

Second  Church.  This  second  church  was  organized, 
Feb.  8,  1844.  It  consisted  chiefly  of  members  who  with- 
drew from  the  first  church  on  account  of  disaffection  in  re- 


236  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

lation  to  the  settlement  of  Rev.  Josiah  Fisher  as  pastor. 
They  were  supplied  during  the  short  period  of  their  con- 
tinuance as  a  separate  churcli  chiefly  by  Rev.  Salmon  Ben- 
nett. By  the  advice  and  agency  of  a  board  of  referees 
mutually  chosen  by  both  the  churches,  this  church  was 
incorporated  into  the  first  church  in  1846,  and  they  have 
since  then  worshiped  together.  They  never  had  a  meeting- 
house nor  a  settled  pastor. 

CONGREGATIONAL    MINISTERS    ORIGINATING    FROM    HEATH. 

1.  Rev.  Stepheti  T.  Allen  was  born  in  Heath  in  1809, 
and  having  been  a  pastor  in  Charlemont,  a  further  notice  of 
him  may  be  found  in  the  account  of  the  pastors  in  that 
town. 

2.  Rev.  Josliua  Leavitt  was  born  in  Heath,  Sept.  8,  1794, 
and  is  a  grandson  of  Rev.  Jonathan  Leavitt  formerly  a 
pastor  in  Charlemont.  Mr.  Leavitt  graduated  at  Yale  in 
1814 ;  was  admitted  to  the  bar  to  practice  as  an  attorney,  in 
1819,  at  Northampton,  and  practised  at  Putney,  Vt.,  till 
1823  ;  studied  theology  at  New  Haven,  and  was  licensed  to 
preach  in  August,  1824 ;  was  ordained  as  a  pastor  at  Strat- 
ford, Ct.,  Feb.  25,  1825;  in  1828  became  Secretary  of  the 
American  Seamen's  Friend  Society  in  New  York  City ;  in 
1831  became  Editor  of  the  New  York  Evangelist ;  in  1837 
became  Editor  of  the  Emancipator  in  New  York,  and  in 
1841  removed  the  Emancipator  to  Boston,  and  continued  to 
edit  it  till  1847 ;  and  in  1848  became  assistant  editor  of  the 
"Independent"  in  New  York,  and  is  still  connected  with 
that  paper,  and  lives  in  New  York  City.  Mr.  Leavitt  has  a 
son.  Rev.  William  S.  Leavitt,  who  is  a  Congregational  min- 
ister in  Hudson,  N.  Y. 

3.  Rev.  Lowell  Smith  was  born  in  Heath,  Nov.  27,  1802 ; 
graduated  at  Williams  in  1829;  studied  theology  at  Au- 
burn ;  while  in  the  Seminary  at  Auburn  was  a  teacher  and 
superintendent  in  the  Auburn  State's  Prison  Sabbath  School, 
and  in  the  African  Sabbath  School  ;    was  married,  Oct.  2, 


OF     HEATH.  237 

1832,  to  Miss  Abba  W.  Tenney  of  Brandon,  Vt. ;  was  or- 
dained as  an  Evangelist  and  Missionary  to  the  Sandwich 
Islands  by  the  Franklin  Association,  at  Heath,  Sept.  26, 
1832,  and  the  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Ralph  W. 
Gridley  of  Williamstown  ;  embarked  as  a  missionary  for  the 
Sandwich  Islands  at  New  London,  Ct.,  Nov.  23,  1832; 
arrived  at  Honolulu,  May  1,  1833  ;  was  located  one  year  at 
the  island  Molakai,  and  two  years  at  Oahu,  and  since  1836 
at  Honolulu.  The  following  extracts  are  from  a  letter  of 
Mr.  Smith  to  the  author  in  1852:  "Our  first  great  business 
was  to  acquire  a  knowledge  of  the  native  language ;  in  this 
we  were  happily  disappointed;  being  able  to  advance  much 
more  rapidly  than  we  had  anticipated.  I  wrote  and  deliver- 
ed my  first  native  sermon  within  three  months  after  our 
arrival  on  Molakai;  and  after  a  few  weeks  more  had  elapsed, 
I  preached  once  every  Sabbath,  and  in  less  than  a  year,  I 
could  pray  and  perform  all  the  exercises  of  the  Sabbath  in 
the  native  language."  "In  the  fall  and  winter  of  1837  and 
'38,  the  great  three  years'  revival  of  religion  at  these  islands 
commenced,  and  the  great  mass  of  the  people  rushed  to  our 
meetings ;  the  way  was  too  strait ;  more  people  were  out- 
side of  the  house  of  worship  than  inside.  I  then  proposed 
to  the  multitude,  that  we  build  a  large  and  commodious 
house  of  worship  ;  to  which  they  all  cheerfully  responded 
in  the  affirmative."  "  On  the  29th  of  Aug.  1839,  this  house 
was  solemnly  dedicated  to  the  service  of  the  living  God: 
But  how  shall  I  describe  the  many  soul  refreshing  seasons, 
which  we  enjoyed  in  our  school-house  and  temporary  shed, 
during  the  eighteen  months  in  which  the  Lord's  house  was 
in  building  ?  Suffice  it  to  say,  the  word  preached  was 
quick  and  powerful,  sharp  as  a  two-edged  sword,  penetrat- 
ing the,  hearts  of  sinners,  and  causing  them  to  quail  before 
the  Lord  in  great  numbers,  and  earnestly  to  inquire,  What 
shall  we  do  to  be  saved  ?"  The  church  to  which  Mr.  Smith 
now  ministers  in  Honolulu,  was   organized,  April  1,  1838, 


238  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS. 

having  died  since  its  organization.  During  the  3^ear  ending 
May,  1852,  this  church  raised  for  the  support  of  their 
pastor  $417,  and  for  benevolent  objects  about  $300.  Four 
approved  members  of  this  church  joined  the  missionary 
band  lately  sent  out  by  the  American  Board  to  the  Maicro- 
nesian  Islands.  Mr.  Smith  has  labored  twenty-one  years  in 
the  missionary  field  without  returning  to  the  United  States. 
He  has  buried  five  children  and  has  two  living. 

4.  Rev.  David  H.  Thayer  was  born  in  Heath,  May  21, 
1825  ;  graduated  at  Union  in  1849  ;  studied  theology  at 
New  Haven  ;  was  settled  as  pastor  in  Hampden,  Ct.,  Jan.  5, 
1853,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Dr.  Tryon  Edwards  of 
New  London,  Ct.  Mr.  Thayer  removed  from  Heath  to 
Nunda,  N.  Y.,  some  time  previous  to  his  preparatory  studies 
for  the  ministry. 

5.  Rev.  John  C.  Thompson  was  born  in  Heath,  Sept.  27, 
1804  ;  and  having  been  settled  as  a  pastor  in  Rowe,  a  more 
full  notice  of  him  may  be  found  in  the  account  of  the  pastors 
in  that  town. 

Rev.  William  W.  Howland,  a  missionary  at  Batticotta,  in 
India,  spent  several  years  in  Heath,  and  married  Miss  Susan 
Reed  of  that  town  ;  and  Rev.  Lemuel  Leonard  spent  a  few 
years  in  Heath,  and  joined  the  church  there,  and  married 
there. 

Of  the  jive  ministers  here  reckoned  as  sons  of  Heath,  all 
are  natives  of  the  town  ;  all  are  graduates  ;  all  have  been 
ordained  ;  one  is  a  missionary  to  the  heathen  ;  and  all  are 
living. 

OTHER    DENOMINATIONS. 

Baptists.  A  Baptist  church  was  organized  in  Heath, 
Sept.  9,  1801,  and,  in  1853,  consisted  of  38  members  ;  and 
it  has  been  supplied  by  the  following  preachers,  viz.,  Elders 
Bemus,  Montague,  Smith,  Long,  Carpenter,  Hibbard,  Stephen 
Barker,  George  Wetherill  ordained  Dec.  23,  1807  ;  Mansfield 
Bruce,  Davenport,Wilson,  Arad  Hall  ordained  May  30,  1820  ; 
Lamb,  George  Robinson,  Linus  Austin,  Nelson,  Branch,  Mc- 


OF     LEVERETT.  239 

Culloch,  Anthony  Case  ordained  in  1831  ;  Phineas  Howe, 
Perrin  B.  Fisk,  Samuel  C.  Chandler  ordained  in  1840  ;  M. 
Frary,  Remington,  Anson  Stearns  ordained  in  1848.  They 
have  had  no  stated  preaching  of  late.  One  Baptist  minister, 
Rev.  George  Benton,  originated  from  Heath. 

Unitarians.  A  Unitarian  church  was  formed  in  this  place 
in  1825,  and  has  been  supplied  by  Revs.  Winthrop  Bailey, 
Dan  Huntington,  Henry  Colman,  Joseph  Field,  and  Dr. 
Samuel  Willard.  It  never  had  a  settled  pastor,  and  has  not 
had  stated  preaching  for  some  time  past. 

Universalists.  One  Universalist  preacher.  Rev.  Groves- 
nor  Swan,  originated  from  Heath. 

The  Methodists,  a  few  years  since,  held  meetings  in  Heath, 
and  ministers  of  that  order  preached  there,  and  some  efforts 
were  made  for  the  formation  of  a  church  or  class,  but  none 
was  ever  formed  there. 

Summary  of  preachers  originating  from  Heath  :  Congrega- 
tionalists,  5  ;  Baptists,  1 ;  Universalists,  1.     Total,  7. 

LEVERETT. 

This  town  was  incorporated  March  5,  1774  ;  and,  in 
1850,  had  948  inhabitants.  Three  churches  have  been 
established  in  this  town,  viz.,  one  Congregational,  one 
Baptist  and  one  Freewill  Baptist,  a  Unitarian  Society,  and 
a  Universalist  Society. 

congregationalists. 

Church.  The  Congregational  church  was  organized  in 
1774.  The  first  Meeting-house  belonging  to  this  people  was 
built  in  1775  ;  and  was  rebuilt  on  the  same  spot  in  1838, 
which  is  now  used  as  their  house  of  worship.  Revivals 
have  been  enjoyed  among  this  people  as  follows,  viz.,  one 
in  1816,  and  40  added  to  the  church  ;  one  in  1839,  and  31 
added  ;  one  in  1850,  and  26  added.  This  church  began  to 
receive  missionary  aid  in  1828,  and  has  received  $675,  but 


240  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

is  not  now  assisted.  A  council  for  advice  was  called  by  this 
church,  Jan.  26,  1S20.  ''  Rev.  John  Foster  was  the  first 
minister  who  received  a  call  to  settle  over  the  Congrega- 
tional Society  in  this  place,  and  he  accepted  it.  The  council 
convened  to  ordain  him,  but  on  examination  they  found 
him  heretical,  and  refused  to  ordain  him."  The  amount 
contributed  to  benevolent  objects  by  this  people  in  1853  was 
$90  59.  The  Sabbath  School  in  1852  numbered  100.  The 
number  in  the  church  in  1853  was  100.  During  the  seventy- 
nine  years  since  the  formation  of  this  church,  it  has  been 
supplied  with  pastors  sixty-one  years,  and  has  been  destitute 
of  a  settled  ministry  eighteen  years.  This  church  has  had 
six  pastors. 

Pastors.  1.*  Rev.  Henry  Williams  was  settled  as  the 
first  pastor  of  this  church,  Nov.  10,  1784,  and,  after  a  minis- 
tjy  of  about  twenty-seven  years  died,  Nov.  27,  1811,  aged 
66.  Mr.  Williams  was  born  in  Stonington,  Ct.,  in  1744  ; 
never  graduated  at  any  college,  but  received  the  honorary 
degree  of  A.  M.  at  Dartmouth  in  1782  ;  was  settled  as  pastor 
at  Guilford, Vt.,  Oct.  28,  1778,  and  was  dismissed  from  there 
in  1783.  At  Mr.  Williams'  settlement  in  Guilford,  Vt.,  Rev. 
Bunker  Gay  of  Hinsdale,  N.  H,,  preached  the  sermon  ;  and 
it  being  during  the  period  of  the  depreciated  continental  cur- 
rency, he  preached  from  2  Kings  iv.  40  :  "  O  Son  of  man, 
there  is  death  in  the  pot."  The  sentiment  of  his  sermon 
was.  To  pay  a  minister's  salary  in  the  depreciated  currency 
is  death  in  the  pot  both  to  the  minister  and  to  the  people. 
Mr.  Williams'  widow  died  in  Leverett,  Nov.  4,  1835,  aged 
79.  He  had  a  son,  who  was  a  Congregational  minister  and 
died  in  1816,  Rev.  Avery  Williams.  The  following  epitaph 
is  on  the  gravestone  of  Rev.  Henry  Williams  :  "  He  was  an 
ardent  preacher,  eminent  in  prayer,  a  faithful  minister  of 
truly  evangelical  sentiments  ;  borne  down  with  infirmity 
and  pain,  which  he  long  endured  with  christian  patience 
and  submission,  he  expired  suddenly  in  his  chair  without  a 
moment's  warning,  Nov.  27,   1811,  aged  66."      Rev.   Dr. 


or    LEVERETT 


241 


Parsons  of  Amherst  preached  his  funeral  sermon.  Rev. 
Gershom  Lyman  of  Marlboro',  Vt.,  preached  his  installation 
sermon  at  Leverett. 

2.  Rev.  Joel  Wright  was  settled  as  the  second  pastor 
of  this  church,  Dec.  9,  1812,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Seth  Payson  of 
Rindge,  N.  H.,  preached  the  sermon  ;  and  after  a  ministry  of 
about  seven  years  was  dismissed  from  here,  Jan.  26,  1820. 
Mr.  Wright  was  born  in  Milford,  N.  H.,  in  1784  ;  graduated 
at  Dartmouth  in  1809  ;  studied  theology  with  Dr.  Payson  of 
Rindge,  N.  H.  ;  was  licensed  in  Massachusetts  in  1811  ; 
settled  at  Goshen,  Sept.  26,  1821,  and  Rev.  James  Taylor 
preached  the  sermon  ;  dismissed  from  Goshen,  September, 
1828  ;  installed  pastor  at  Wilmington,  Vt.,  Oct.  28,  1829, 
and  Rev.  Jonathan  McGee  preached  the  sermon  ;  dismissed 
from  there,  Jan.  2,  1834 ;  installed  as  pastor  at  Sullivan, 
N.  H.,  May  22,  1834,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Barstow  preached  ;  dis- 
missed from  there  in  1840.  At  different  times  Mr.  Wright 
has  supplied  in  Natick,  Chester,  Dana,  within  the  bounds 
of  the  Onondaga  Presbytery,  N.  Y.,  Bristol,  N.  H.,  and 
Surrey,  N.  H.  During  Mr.  Wright's  ministry  at  Leverett,  84 
were  added  to  the  church,  and  120  baptisms  performed. 
Mr.  Wright's  farewell  sermon,  preached  at  Leverett,  was 
published.  Since  his  inability  to  preach  for  several  years 
past,  he  has  resided  in  Enfield  and  South  Hadley  Falls  ;  at 
the  latter  place  he  now  lives,  and  for  four  or  five  years  has 
been  unable  even  to  go  to  the  house  of  worship.  He  has  a 
son  who  is  an  Episcopal  minister,  and  is  Rector  of  a  church 
in  Prattsville,  N.  Y. 

3.*  Rev.  Joseph  Sawyer  was  settled  as  the  third  pastor 
of  this  church,  Oct.  30,  1822,  and  Rev.  Charles  Jenkins 
preached  the  sermon  ;  and,  after  a  ministry  of  forty-five 
days,  died  Dec.  14,  1822,  aged  30.  Mr.  Sawyer  was  born 
in  Wendell  in  1792;  graduated  at  Williams  in  1813;  and 
studied  theology  at  Andover,  completing  the  course  there  in 
1819.  His  death  was  supposed  to  be  occasioned  by  an 
injury  which  he  received  when  a  boy,  the  following  account 
31 


242  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

of  which  accident  was  published  in  the  Greenfield  Gazette, 
of  Sept.  19,  1803  :  "  Joseph,  son  of  Mr.  Joseph  Sawyer  of 
Wendell,  aged  eleven  years,  was  hooked  by  a  heifer  on  the 
Sth  inst.,  in  such  a  manner  that  his  bowels  gushed  out, 
which  he  carried  in  his  hands  forty  rods  and  fell  down. 
His  mother  met  him  in  this  situation  ;  his  father  and  others 
soon  came,  and  carried  him  to  their  house  ;  the  physician 
was  called,  and  he  appears  to  be  in  a  hopeful  way  of  re- 
covery." A  relative  of  Mr.  Sawyer  adds  the  following  ex- 
planation :  "  His  intestines  were  washed  and  replaced  by  the 
physician,  and  the  wound  sewed  up  on  the  outside  ;  but  the 
stitches  did  not  go  deep  enough  to  take  the  inner  membrane, 
consequently,  when  the  wound  healed  outwardly,  the  intes- 
tines also  adhered  and  healed  to  the  body  inwardly.  This 
frequently  produced  a  stoppage  ;  and  he  ever  afterwards 
suffered  intensely  very  frequently ;  and  always,  from  the 
period  of  said  event,  was  very  careful  of  his  diet.  The 
aforesaid  accident  was  undoubtedly  the  cause  of  his  death." 
The  following  notice  of  Mr.  Sawyer's  death  was  published 
in  the  Greenfield  Gazette,  for  December,  1822  :  "  Died,  in 
Leverett,  Mass.,  on  the  14th  inst..  Rev.  Joseph  Sawyer, 
A.  M.,  Pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  and  Society  in 
that  town,  aged  30.  Having  united  a  people  whose  divisions 
for  several  years  had  almost  deprived  them  of  religious  priv- 
ileges, he  was  ordained  on  the  30th  of  October,  and,  after 
the  short  service  of  six  weeks,  was  called  to  receive  his  re- 
ward. A  sermon  was  preached  at  his  funeral  by  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Moore,  President  of  Amherst  College."  The  following 
epitaph  is  on  his  gravestone  : — 

"  His  teaching  tongue  and  virtuous  heart 
Have  ceased  to  act ;  they've  done  their  part." 

4.  Rev.  Jonas  Colburn  was  settled  as  the  fourth  pastor, 
Jan.  21,  1824,  and  Rev.  Nathan  Perkins  of  Amherst  preached 
the  sermon  ;  and  after  a  ministry  of  about  eight  years  was 
dismissed,  April  4,  1832.     Mr.  Colburn  was  born  in  Dracut, 


OF     LEVERETT.  243 

Oct.  25,  1789;  graduated  at  Middlebury  in  1817;  studied 
theology  at  Andover ;  was  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of 
Londonderry,  April  26,  1820 ;  after  leaving  Leverett  was  in- 
stalled as  pastor  at  Stoneham,  Aug.  1,  1832,  and  the  sermon 
was  by  Rev.  Reuben  Emerson  of  South  Reading  ;  was  dis- 
missed from  Stoneham,  March  27,  1837 ;  was  installed  as 
pastor  in  Wells,  Me.,  April  18,  1837,  and  the  sermon  was  by 
Rev.  Samuel  Hopkins  of  Saco,  Me.  ;  was  dismissed  from 
there,  Oct.  2,  1844 ;  then  resided  for  six  years  at  Amherst, 
supplying  more  or  less  the  churches  at  New  Salem  and  North 
Becket  and  other  places  ;  in  1851  removed  to  Saxonville, 
where  he  now  resides  and  supplies  neighboring  churches 
occasionally.  Previous  to  his  first  settlement,  Mr.  Colburn 
preached  as  a  missionary  in  Northern  and  Western  New 
York,  and  preached  in  Brattleboro',  Vt.,  in  Danville,  Vt.,  and 
in  East  Stafford,  Ct.  During  his  residence  in  Amherst,  he 
labored  three  months  as  an  agent  of  the  Bible  Society  in 
Franklin  County.  Several  revivals  were  enjoyed  under  Mr. 
Colburn's  ministrations  in  Leverett,  and  in  Wells,  Me. 

5.  Rev.  Freegrace  Reynolds  was  installed  as  the  fifth 
pastor  of  this  church,  Dec.  5,  1832,  and  the  sermon  was  by 
Rev.  Dr.  Snell ;  and  after  a  ministry  of  about  four  years  was 
dismissed,  March  21,  1837.  Mr.  Reynolds  was  born  in 
Somers,  Ct.,  Jan.  26,  1767 ;  graduated  at  Yale  in  1787 ; 
studied  divinity  with  Rev.  Dr.  Charles  Backus  ;  was  licensed 
June  1,  1790  ;  preached  in  East  Windsor,  Ct.,  Guilford,  Vt., 
Westminster,  West  Parish,  Vt.,  Rochester,  Fair  Haven, 
Becket,  Williston,  Vt.,  Dorset,  Vt.,  Vergennes,  Vt.,  Maiden, 
Newbury,  New  Rowley,  being  the  sixtieth  candidate  in  that 
place,  and  Pelham ;  was  ordained  as  pastor  at  Wilmington, 
Oct.  29,  1795,  after  receiving  two  calls  and  convening  two 
councils  ;  was  dismissed  from  Wilmington,  Jan.  9,  1830  ; 
then  supplied  in  Northfield,  Vt.,  Montpelier,  Vt.,  and  Crafts- 
bury,  Vt.  After  leaving  Leverett  returned  to  Wilmington, 
where  he  now  lives.  Having  been  severely  injured  by  a 
fall  in  1836,  and  his  voice  having  partially  failed,  he  has 


244  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

preached  but  little  since  that  time.     Mr.  Reynolds  has  pub- 
lished several  sermons. 

6.  Rev.  David  Eastman  was  settled  as  the  sixth  pastor, 
Feb.  12,  1840,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Mr.  Condit, 
then  of  South  Hadley.  Mr.  Eastman's  ministry  has  con- 
tinued thirteen  years,  and  he  is  still  the  pastor  in  Leverett. 
He  was  born  in  Amherst,  June  16,  1806 ;  graduated  at  Am- 
herst, in  1835  ;  finished  the  theological  course  at  Andover 
in  1838 ;  and  is  brother  of  Rev.  Oman  Eastman  of  New 
York,  and  of  Rev.  John  Eastman  of  West  Hawley. 

The  pulpit  was  supplied  between  the  pastorates  of  Mr. ' 
Wright  and  Mr.  Sawyer,  by  Rev.  Dr.  Parsons  of  Amherst  ; 
and  between  the  pastorates  of  Mr.  Reynolds  and  Mr.  East- 
man, by  Rev.  Gordon  Dorrance,  then  residing  in  Sunder- 
land. The  ordination  of  an  Evangelist,  Rev.  Seth  Burt  of 
Longmeadow,  took  place  in  Leverett,  Aug.  2,  1815,  and  Rev. 
Payson  Williston  preached  the  sermon.  Of  the  six  pastors 
of  this  church,  three  were  dismissed  ;  four  are  living  ;  and  the 
average  length  of  their  ministry  in  Leverett  was  about  ten 
years. 

congregational  ministers  originating  from  leverett. 

1.  Rev.  Levi  A.  Field  was  born  in  Leverett,  Sept.  17, 
1821  ;  graduated  at  Amherst  in  1846 ;  finished  the  theologi- 
cal course  at  Andover  in  1849  ;  was  licensed  by  the  Brook- 
field  Association,  April  18,  1849 ;  preached  in  North  Brook- 
field  a  short  time  ;  then  resided  in  Amherst  and  supplied  in 
various  places ;  from  1850  to  1852  preached  in  a  parish  in 
West  Springfield  ;  March  4,  1851,  married  to  Miss  Nancy  M. 
Holmes  of  Monson  ;  and  was  ordained  as  pastor  of  the  Union 
Congregational  Church  and  Society  in  Marlboro',  Aug.  31, 
1853,  and  Professor  Austin  Phelps  of  Andover  preached  the 
sermon  on  the  occasion. 

2.*  Mr.  Levi  Field  is  supposed  to  have  been  born  in 
Leverett  about  1780 ;  graduated  at  Williams  in  1799 ;  was 
licensed  by  the  Hampshire  Association,  May  4,  1802  j  his 


OF     LEVERETT. 


MS 


license  was  revoked  by  the  Association,  Nov.  6,  1804; 
studied  law,  and  practised  as  a  lawyer  in  Wilmington,  Vt., 
where  he  died,  July  12,  1820,  aged  40.  The  following 
epitaph  is  on  his  gravestone  : — 

"  Farewell ;  a  sad,  a  long  farewell 
To  this  frail  clay,  whose  life  has  fled  ; 
Resign  it  back  to  kindred  dust, 
Till  the  last  trump  shall  wake  the  dead." 

He  was  never  ordained.  While  in  Wilmington,  Yt.,  he  was 
in  the  habit  of  reading  sermons  in  the  congregation  where 
he  attended  meeting,  when  there  Avas  no  preaching.  He 
has  one  daughter  living,  the  wife  of  Mr.  Lovell  Farr  of 
Brattleboro',  Vt. 

3.  Mr.  William  S.  Smith  was  born  in  Leverett,  July  10, 
1821 ;  lived  during  a  part  of  his  childhood  and  youth  in  New- 
port, N.  H.,  and  Amherst ;  graduated  at  Amherst  in  1848  ; 
studied  theology  at  the  Union  Theological  Seminary,  New 
York  ;  in  1853  resided  at  Andover,  as  a  resident  licentiate  j 
in  the  spring  of  1854  he  was  invited  to  settle  as  pastor  in  the 
Union  Congregational  Church  in  Fourth  street,  New  York 
City. 

4.*  Rev.  Avery  Willia?7is  was  the  son  of  Rev.  Henry 
Williams,  and  was  born  in  Guilford,  Vt.,  Jan.  9,  1782,  and 
at  about  two  years  of  age  removed  with  his  father  to  Lever- 
ett. He  graduated  at  Dartmouth  in  1804 ;  studied  theology 
at  Princeton,  N.  J.  ;  was  licensed  to  preach  in  November, 
1805  ;  was  ordained  as  a  pastor  at  Jjcxington,  Dec.  30,  1807; 
and  died  in  Spartanburg,  S.  C,  Feb.  4,  1816,  aged  34. 
Previous  to  his  entering  upon  the  work  of  the  christian 
ministry,  Mr.  Williams  taught  school  for  some  length  of 
time  in  Greenfield ;  and  married  a  sister  of  Hon.  George 
Grennell  of  that  place,  who  still  survives.  Rev.  Josiah  W. 
Canning  of  Gill  preached  a  sermon  on  the  occasion  of  the 
death  of  Mr.  Williams,  at  Gill,  Aug.   11,   1816,  which  was 


246 


CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 


published.  From  that  sermon  the  following  extract  is 
taken : — 

"His  connection  with  this  people  (Lexington)  has  been 
marked  with  singular  friendship  and  unanimity.  Few 
clergymen,  in  these  days  of  revolt  and  division,  have,  ap- 
parently, lived  more  in  the  affections  of  their  people  ;  or 
shared  in  a  greater  degree  of  respect  and  kindness,  than  he. 

"  Pleased  with  his  work,  Mr.  W.  devoted  himself  wholly 
to  it.  His  application  to  study  and  parochial  labor  was  un- 
remitting ;  and  his  consequent  proficiency  in  professional  at- 
tainments was  noticeable  by  all  who  knew  him.  His  health 
however,  became  impaired,  by  his  close  and  assiduous  at- 
tention to  his  official  duties.  Early  in  the  summer  of  1813 
he  bled  repeatedly  from  the  lungs.  After  spending  more 
than  a  year  in  fruitless  attention  to  his  declining  health,  he 
sat  out,  with  the  advice  of  his  friends,  in  September,  1814, 
on  a  tour  to  the  Southern  States.  During  this  journey  he 
experienced  much  hospitality  and  kind  attention  from 
sympathizing  strangers.  But  during  his  absence  God  was 
pleased  to  visit  his  family  with  affliction,  and  remove  one  of 
his  children  by  death.  Intelligence  of  this  he  received  with 
christian  resignation. 

"  Having  spent  the  winter  principally  in  Charleston,  S.  C, 
and  its  vicinity,  he  so  far  amended,  as  to  his  health,  that  he 
returned  in  the  spring  following,  hoping  to  be  able  to  resume 
his  labors  among  his  people.  But  his  flattering  hopes  in  this 
respect  were  soon  disappointed.  On  the  fourth  Sabbath 
only,  after  his  return  to  his  people,  he  experienced  a  renewed 
and  grievous  attack  of  his  former  complaints,  which  reduced 
him  lower,  as  to  health,  than  he  had  ever  been.  Amending 
a  little  towards  the  close  of  the  summer,  but  taking  no  en- 
couragement of  ever  being  able  to  resume  his  labors,  he 
came  to  a  mutual  understanding  with  his  people,  (who  had, 
hitherto,  generously  continued  his  support,)  and  the  secular 
connection  between  them  was  dissolved  on  the  6th  of  Sep- 
tember,  1815.     Leaving  Lexington  shortly  after,  he  came 


OF     LEVERETT. 


247 


with  his  family  to  his  friends  in  Greenfield.  Committing 
them  to  God,  and  lodging  them  with  his  father-in-law,  he 
commenced  his  second  tour  to  the  southward  on  the  26th 
of  October  following.  After  travelling  by  short  stages,  and 
often  lying  by,  in  consequence  of  fatigue  and  bad  weather, 
he  arrived  at  Spartanburg,  S.  C,  on  the  20th  of  January, 
1816.  From  this  place  he  never  removed.  Prostrated  by 
increasing  infirmities,  he  languished  till  the  morning  of  the 
4th  of  February,  when  he  calmly  expired  without  a  struggle 
or  a  groan. 

"  Mr.  W.  contemplated  his  dissolution  with  composure. 
In  a  letter  which  he  wrote  to  Mrs.  W.  a  few  days  before  his 
death,  he  observes,  '  It  has  become  certain  that  this  is  the 
place  where  my  body  must  moulder  to  my  native  dust,  from 
whence  my  spirit  must  ascend  to  God  who  gave  it.'  In  the 
same  letter  he  alludes  to  the  painful  circumstance  of  being 
from  his  family  and  friends,  in  the  following  language  of 
resignation.  '  But  it  makes  but  little  diff'erence  where  we 
die,  if  we  be  prepared  for  the  solemn  event.  My  body  may 
as  well  moulder  to  dust  here,  and  my  spirit  may  as  well  take 
its  flight  from  earth  to  heaven  from  this  place,  as  any  other.' 

"Mr.  W.  possessed  a  mild  and  affable  disposition.  As  a 
friend  he  was  cordial  and  sincere.  As  a  companion,  he  was 
pleasant  and  engaging.  As  a  husband  and  father,  he  was  tender 
and  affectionate.  As  a  christian,  he  was  meek  and  amiable. 
As  a  minister  of  Christ,  he  was  laborious  and  faithful.  He 
possessed  a  mind  naturally  clear  and  discriminating,  which 
was  highly  improved  by  reading  and  reflection. 

"  Some  of  his  occasional  productions  have  appeared  before 
the  public,  which  bear  honorable  testimony  both  to  his  in- 
tellect and  scholarship.  Among  these,  as  deserving  of  par- 
ticular notice,  is  a  Century  sermon  delivered  at  Lexington, 
March  31,  1813." 

Of  the  four  ministers  in  the  foregoing  list  reckoned  as  sons 
of  Leverett,  three  were  natives  of  the  town ;  all  were  gradu- 
ate ;  two  were  ordained ;  and  two  are  living. 


248  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 


OTHER    DENOMINATIONS. 

Baptists.  The  first  Baptist  church,  situated  in  the  north 
part  of  Leverett,  was  organized  in  Montague,  July  16,  1767. 
"As  they  increased,  the  centre  was  removed  in  this  direc- 
tion (towards  Leverett),  and  in  1791  the  name  was  changed 
to  the  '  Baptist  Church  of  Leverett.'  The  present  appellation 
('Baptist  Church  of  Leverett  and  Montague')  came  after- 
wards into  use  by  common  consent."  The  number  of  mem- 
bers in  1851  was  174.  The  church  has  been  supplied  since 
1791  by  Elders  Simson  Combs,  Elijah  Montague,  Elias 
McGregory,  Aaron  Burbank,  N.  B.  Jones,  B.  F.  Remington, 
Samuel  Everett,  and  Baxter  Newton,  who  is  the  present 
pastor  of  the  church.  Revs.  Rufus  Fitts,  Elijah  Montague, 
and  Nathaniel  Ripley,  Baptist  ministers,  were  from  Leverett. 

Freewill  Baptists.  A  church  of  this  order  was  organ- 
ized in  Leverett,  called  the  "  Freewill  Baptist  Church  of 
Leverett  and  Shutesbury,"  in  July,  1835,  and  was  reorgan- 
ized, July  3,  1841.  It  has  been  supplied  by  Revs.  Luther 
Pierce,  Austin  B.  Wood,  Horatio  Flower,  Jacob  D.  Couliard 
and  John  C.  Ball. 

Episcopalians.  Rev.  D.  G.  Wright,  son  of  Rev.  Joel 
Wright,  is  an  Episcopal  minister,  of  Prattsville,  N.  Y.,  who 
originated  from  Leverett. 

Unitarians.  A  Unitarian  Society  existed  for  some  years 
in  Leverett,  and  was  supplied  by  Revs.  Dan  Huntington, 
Henry  Colman,  John  A.  Williams,  Frederic  D.  Huntington, 
and  Mr.  Clarke. 

Universalists.  a  Universalist  Society  was  organized  in 
North  Leverett,  Oct.  5,  1835,  with  13  members.  They  have 
been  supplied  with  preaching  by  Revs.  S.  Davis,  J.  H.  Willis,. 
N.  C.  Hodgden,  C.  W.  Mellen,  J.  Baker,  M.  B.  Newell,  O.' 
W.  Bacon,  and  O.  Perkins.  They  have  no  preaching  at 
present. 

Summary  of  Preachers  originating  from  Leverett.  Con- 
gregationalists,  4.     Baptists,  3.     Episcopalians,  1.     Total,  8. 


OF     LEYDEN.  249 


LEYDEN. 


This  town  was  incorporated  March  12,  1784;  the  popu- 
lation, in  1850,  was  716.  This  town  and  Monroe  are  the 
only  towns  in  Franklin  County  in  which  there  has  never 
been  a  Congregational  pastor  settled,  or  a  Congregational 
church  or  society  organized.  Since  1820,  the  Massachu- 
setts Home  Missionary  Society  has  employed  a  missionary 
for  short  periods  in  four  different  years  in  Ley  den,  and  has 
expended  for  this  purpose,  f  328.  In  1830,  Rev.  Ebenezer 
Bradford  labored  in  this  capacity  for  a  short  time  in  the 
place.     A  few  Congregational  families  reside  in  the  town. 

Three  churches  have  been  organized  in  Leyden,  viz.,  one 
Baptist,  one  Episcopal  Methodist,  one  Wesleyan  Methodist, 
and  a  Universalist  society. 

Baptists.  "  The  Baptist  church  in  Leyden  was  organ- 
ized July  5,  1780  ;  and  the  number  of  communicants  at  the 
time  of  organization,  probably  some  35  or  40."  "This 
church  became  extinct  about  the  year  1830,  having  never 
been  reorganized,  and  no  one  of  that  denomination,  it  is 
said,  now  (1853,)  resides  in  town.  The  Baptist  church  was 
organized  under  the  ministerial  labors  of  Elder  Joseph  Green,, 
who  continued  their  pastor  a  number  of  years,  and  died  Jan. 
11,  1796,  and  was  succeeded  by  Elder  Asa  Hebbard,  about 
the  year  1800,  who  continued  their  pastor  until  the  time  of 
his  death  in  1830."  "  Rev.  B.  F.  Remington  supplied  the 
society  with  preaching  some  two  years.  The  old  Baptist 
Meeting-house  was  built  probably  about  1797,  and  has  stood 
unoccupied  some  eight  years."  One  Freewill  Baptist  min- 
ister, Rev.  Ephraim  Gates,  originated  from  Leyden.  Elder 
Asa  Hebbard  died  and  was  buried  in  town. 

Episcopalians.  One  Episcopal  minister.  Rev.  Charles  P. 
Clark,  formerly  settled  in  Louisiana,  and  is  now  in  Indiana, 
originated  from  Leyden. 

Episcopal  Methodists.  "  The  Methodist  Episcopal 
32 


250  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

church  was  organized  about  May,  1810,  and  at  that  time 
consisted  of  but  few  members,  holding  their  meetings  for 
some  thirty  years  in  school-houses,  dwelling-houses,  barns, 
and  groves ;  it  now  numbers  some  45  members,  and  owns  a 
meeting-house  in  connection  with  the  Wesleyan  Methodist 
and  Universalist  denominations,  which  was  built  in  1841." 
They  have  been  supplied  by  the  following  preachers,  viz. : 
Daniel  Bromley,  Joseph  Fairbanks,  Elisha  Ware,  C.  C. 
Barnes,  Samuel  Ruth,  A.  Latham,  David  I.  Winslow,  J. 
Tate,  Philo  Hawks,  William  Gordon,  David  Todd,  Ichabod 
Marcy,  J.  S.  Clarke,  Rufus  P.  Buffington,  J.  W.  Mowry, 
and  Randall  Mitchell  in  1853.  The  following  Methodist 
ministers  originated  from  Leyden,  viz. : — Revs.  Benjamin  N. 
Bullock,  Edward  N.  Grossman,  James  Mowry,  Edmund  S. 
Potter,  Norris  Stearns,  and  Gornelius  Waggoner. 

Wesleyan  Methodists.  "  The  Wesleyan  Methodist 
church  was  organized  in  1842,  and  was  composed  of  se- 
ceders  from  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  ;  and  numbers 
some  45  members.  Each  of  the  Methodist  societies  now 
sustains  preaching  one  half  of  the  time  and  on  alternate 
Sabbaths."  Their  first  preacher  was  Rev.  John  Tate.  Rev. 
Daniel  DeWolf  has  supplied  this  people  for  several  years, 
and  in  1853  still  preaches  for  them. 

Universalists.  "A  Universalist  society  was  organized 
in  Leyden  in  1830,  under  the  ministrations  of  Rev.  Matthew 
Hale  Smith,  consisting  of  some  twenty  members,  but  con- 
tinued their  organization  only  for  two  or  three  years."  Two 
Universalist  preachers.  Revs.  John  Allen  and  Dennis  Cha- 
pin,  originated  from  Leyden. 

Summary  of  preachers  originating  from  Leyden :  Freewill 
Baptists,  1 ;  Episcopalians,  1 ;  Methodists,  6 ;  Universalists, 
2.     Total,  10. 

Dorrelites.  As  the  account  given  of  the  other  denomi- 
nations in  Leyden,  occupies  only  a  comparatively  small 
space  in  this  work ;  and  as  this  sect  was  remarkably  singu- 
lar, and  having  long  been  extinct,  it  is  difficult  to  obtain 
access  to  sources  of  correct  information  respecting  it ;  a  more 


OF     LEYDEN.  251 

full  description  of  it  is  therefore  given  than  would  otherwise 
have  been  done.  An  intelligent  correspondent,  who  is  an 
inhabitant  of  Leyden,  has  furnished  the  following  account, 
viz. : — "  As  it  respects  the  sect  once  known  as  the  '  Dorre- 
lites,'  I  find  it  extremely  difficult  to  collect  any  very  authen- 
tic information  respecting  their  belief,  ceremonies,  &c.,  from 
the  fact  that  so  many  erroneous  and  exaggerated  statements 
and  accounts  have  been  made  and  published  respecting  that 
misguided  sect.  William  Dorriel,  the  leader  of  that  sect,  was 
born  in  Yorkshire,  England.  March  15,  1752,  and  died  in 
Leyden,  Aug.  28th,  1846,  aged  94  years,  5  months,  and  13 
days.  He  was  of  respectable  parentage,  his  father  being  a 
farmer.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  or  seventeen  years  he  enlisted 
in  his  country's  service  as  a  regular,  and  continued  in  the 
service  until  the  war  between  the  mother  country  and  the 
American  Colonies.  He  then  came  to  America  with  Bur- 
goyne,  and  was  under  that  officer's  command  at  his  surren- 
der ;  but  at  what  time  he  came  to  Leyden,  I  am  unable  to 
state  ;  but  probably  somewhere  from  1790  to  1795.  I  find 
the  sect  were  at  their  zenith  in  1797  and  1798,  continuing 
some  two  or  three  years,  and  numbering  somewhere  from 
twenty  to  thirty,  including  some  as  respectable  people  as 
there  were  in  town.  Dorriel  taught,  that  there  was  a  Mes- 
siah for  every  generation,  and  that  he  was  the  Messiah  of 
that  age  or  generation ;  that  no  arm  of  flesh  could  injure  or 
offend  him  ;  of  the  falsity  of  which  declaration  his  followers 
had  the  fullest  demonstration,  when  he  fell  beneath  the  up- 
lifted hand  of  Ezekiel  Foster,  whom  Dorriel  challenged  to 
hurt  him  in  the  least.  He  also  forbid  the  taking  of  life  under 
any  circumstances  whatever ;  hence  they  abstained  entirely 
from  all  animal  food,  and  the  wearing  and  use  of  the  skins  of 
animals  for  any  purpose,  which  gave  rise  to  their  wooden 
shoes,  tow-cloth  harnesses  and  bellows.  They  held  their 
property  in  common,  making  a  certain  shrewd  man  their 
treasurer,  who  made  no  small  speculation  out  of  the  matter. 
They  held  to,  and  practised,  the  strictest  honesty  in  their 


253  CHURCHES      AND     MINISTERS 

dealings  with  other  men.  Their  ceremonies  consisted  merely 
in  drinking,  dancing,  and  lectures  from  Dorriel,  who  was 
very  illiterate,  being  unable  to  read  or  write,  but  of  a  strong 
and  retentive  memory  ;  he  having  committed  a  large  portion 
of  the  Bible  to  memory,  from  hearing  it  read  by  his  wife. 
His  habits  were  far  from  being  what  would  be  termed,  even 
in  those  days,  temperate.  When  questioned  in  after-years, 
whether  he  was  sincere  in  his  professions,  he  replied,  that  he 
was  not,  but  did  it  that  the  scriptures  might  be  fulfilled,  'that 
in  those  days  should  arise  false  christs,'  &c." 

August  20,  1798,  Rev.  John  Taylor,  then  a  pastor  in 
Deerfield,  published  in  the  Greenfield  Gazette  the  following 
account : — "  As  there  has  been  much  said  in  this  vicinity  re- 
specting a  new  religious  sect  in  the  town  of  Leyden,  I  had 
the  curiosity  to  visit  Mr.  Dorrel,  the  head  of  the  sect.  I 
asked  him  if  he  was  willing  to  communicate  his  sentiments 
on  religious  subjects.  He  manifested  a  readiness  to  do  it, 
which,  from  what  I  had  heard,  I  did  not  expect.  To  grat- 
ify the  public,  as  they  are  anxious  to  know  the  religious 
opinions  of  this  man,  I  request  you  to  publish  the  following, 
which  I  received  from  his  own  mouth,  in  the  presence  of  a 
witness.  That  I  have  not  misunderstood  him,  the  public 
may  be  assured  ;  for,  after  having  received  his  answers  to 
my  questions,  I  wrote  them  down,  and  read  them  to  him  for 
his  approbation,  and  nothing  is  inserted  but  what  was  ap- 
proved of  by  him,  as  containing  his  sentiments.  At  the  in- 
consistencies of  this  man,  and  especially  at  his  blasphemies, 
your  readers  will  doubtless  be  astonished  ;  and  whilst  they 
pity  and  pray  for  the  poor  deluded  proselytes  of  the  de- 
ceiver, will  consider  him  as  a  monster  of  iniquity.  I  wished, 
in  this  publication,  to  have  put  his  sentiments  into  some 
kind  of  order,  but  I  found  it  impossible.  I  shall  therefore 
give  them  in  the  same  disconnected  manner  in  which  I  re- 
ceived them. 

"  Question.  What  do  you  believe  concerning  God  and 
Jesus  Christ  ? 


OF     LEYDEN.  253 

"  Answer.  I  believe  that  Jesus  Christ  is,  as  to  substance, 
a  spirit,  and  is  God — that  he  took  a  body — that  he  died,  and 
never  rose  from  the  dead — that  no  one  of  the  human  race 
will  ever  be  raised  from  the  grave — and  that  all  scriptures 
which  speak  of  a  resurrection,  respect  a  resurrection  from 
sin  to  spiritual  life. 

"  Q..  What  are  your  ideas  of  spiritual  life  ? 

"  A.   Spiritual  life  consists  in  perfect  obedience  to  God. 

"  Q,.  What  is  the  rule  of  obedience?  Do  you  believe  in 
the  divine  authority  of  the  scriptures  ? 

"  A.  The  written  revelation  is  a  type  of  the  substance  of 
the  true  revelation,  which  God  makes  to  those  whom  he 
raises  from  spiritual  death :  God  has  given  the  type  by  man 
till  the  substance  comes,  which  is  God  revealed  in  the  soul. 
Such  as  are  raised  in  this  sense,  are  perfect,  and  are  beyond 
the  possibility  of  sinning. 

"  Q,.  On  condition  they  violate  the  type,  have  they  no 
sin  ? 

"  A.  They  are  not  bound  by  the  type,  but  by  the  sub- 
stance, even  if  the  substance  is  contrary  to  the  type  :  They, 
who  are  raised,  have  nothing  to  do  with  the  type — I  want 
nothing  to  do  with  the  Bible. 

"  Q,.  What  is  meant  by  eternal  life  ? 

"  A.  I  believe  that  through  the  obedience  of  Jesus  Christ, 
mankind  shall  never  be  cut  off  from  the  earth — and  that  an 
eternal  succession  of  natural  generation  was  the  eternal  life 
purchased  by  Christ. 

"  Q..  What  do  you  understand  by  heaven  and  hell  ? 

"  A.  Heaven  is  day,  and  hell  is  night ;  or  heaven  is  light, 
and  hell  is  darkness. 

''  d.  Are  those  in  the  dark  world  under  the  wrath  of  God? 

"  A.  God  will  never  execute  wrath,  either  in  this  or  the 
next  world — God  has  no  wrath.  Hell  is  merely  a  place  of 
darkness.  If  the  souls  of  wicked  men  can  make  friends  with 
the  devils,  they  will  fare  as  well  as  they. 

"  Q,.  Does  God  govern  the  dark  world  ? 


254  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

"  A.  There  is  no  opposition  between  God  and  the  devil, 
or  between  heaven  and  hell.  God  and  the  devil  have  equal 
power  in  their  respective  worlds  of  light  and  darkness. 

"  Q,.  What  are  your  ideas  of  baptism  and  the  Lord's  Sup- 
per ? 

"  A.  Baptism  is  an  introduction  into  the  human  person  of 
Christ,  and  separates  the  raised  person  from  the  world. 
There  is  no  such  thing  as  outward  baptism.  The  Lord's 
Supper  is  a  resurrection  from  spiritual  death. 

"  Q-.  Are  such  as  are  raised,  in  your  sense  of  the  word, 
under  any  law  whatever  ? 

"  A.  They  are  free  from  all  condemnation  as  they  respect 
God.  And  they  are  free  from  all  civil  laws — from  all  prin- 
cipalities and  powers. 

"  CI.  What  are  your  ideas  of  the  marriage  covenant  ? 

"  A.  When  husband  or  wife  become  perfect,  by  being 
raised  to  spiritual  life,  the  other  party  is  not  holden  by  the 
old  covenant,  which  is  that  of  the  civil  law :  And  if  both 
are  raised,  still  the  parties  are  not  holden  to  each  other,  and 
the  perfect  have  a  right  to  a  promiscuous  intercourse. 

"  Q..  How  do  you  prove  this  ? 

"  A.  Christ  is  the  head — all  such  as  are  raised  are  in 
Christ — and  all  in  his  body  are  one  body. 

"  At  the  close  of  my  inquiries,  I  again  turned  to  the  sub- 
ject of  marriage — he  appeared  to  be  embarrassed,  sometimes 
denying  the  doctrine  of  promiscuous  intercourse,  and  some- 
times explaining  it  in  such  a  manner,  as  that  he  could  not 
be  clearly  understood.  It  is  undoubtedly  a  fact,  that  his 
true  sentiments  on  this  subject  are  here  properly  exposed  ; 
for  at  the  time  he  answered  these  questions  respecting  mar- 
riage, he  was  under  no  embarrassment ;  and  the  reason 
which  he  here  gave  for  the  support  of  the  doctrine,  viz.,  that 
all  the  members  of  Christ's  body  are  one  body,  is  a  sufficient 
evidence  that  his  after-denial  and  embarrassment  arose  from 
some  fears  he  entertained  that  he  should  expose  himself  to 
the  law. 


OF     LEYDEN.  255 

"  Q,.  Have  you  any  form  of  worship  ? 

"  A.  We  have  no  meetings  for  worship — all  days  are  alike 
— one  day  is  as  holy  as  another  day. 

"  Q..  But  you  probably  sometimes  meet ;  what  is  your 
business  when  together  ? 

"  A.  We  talk  about  our  business,  and  anything,  just  as  it 
happens. 

"  I  would  here  observe,  that  I  learnt  from  others,  who  had 
attended  some  of  their  meetings,  that  they  were  guilty  of 
conduct  beastly  in  the  highest  degree.  One  told  me,  that 
he  saw  Dorrel  with  his  wife,  and  a  young  woman  of  a  re- 
spectable family,  rolling  together  upon  the  floor,  in  one  of 
their  meetings.  They  sing  songs,  the  most  vile  and  filthy 
that  were  ever  written  by  bacchanalians.  One  verse  of  one 
of  their  songs  I  have  obtained  ;  it  is  so  vile  and  filthy, 
that,  if  such  a  thing  were  possible,  it  would  defile  even  a 
brothel. 

"  Q,.  Do  you  believe  that  prayer  is  necessary,  and  do  you 
pray  ? 

'•  A.  Prayer  is  not  necessary.  I  do  not  pray.  What 
should  I  pray  for  ?    I  can  carry  nothing  to  God. 

"  Q.  Did  man  ever  fall  ? 

"  A.  No  otherwise  than  by  his  actual  sin  ;  no  man  is  de- 
filed but  by  his  own  works. 

"  Q,.  What  law  do  men  break  by  their  works  ? 

'•'•  A.  There  is  no  law  but  that  of  nature. 

"  Q,.  Is  man  ever  to  be  judged  for  his  deeds  ? 

"  A.  There  is  no  future  judgment — judgment  is  now. 

"  Q,.  Do  you  believe  that  the  future  state  of  the  souls  of 
men  will  be  determined  by  what  they  do  in  this  world  ? 

"  A.  There  is  no  knowledge  after  death  of  what  has  passed 
in  this  world. 

"  Ql.  Do  you  believe  in  the  existence  of  a  just  God,  who 
knows  all  things  and  has  all  power  ? 

"  A.  God  has  no  forethought,  no  knowledge  of  what 
passes  in  the  dark  world,  which  is  hell ;  and  has  no  knowl- 


256  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

edge  of  what  has  taken  place,  nor  of  what  will  take  place 
in  the  world. 

"  Q,.  Is  there  any  such  thing  as  a  Divine  Providence  ? 

"  A.  Neither  God  nor  the  devil  has  any  power  over  man 
to  control  him. 

"  Q,.  Have  you  any  hope  of  future  happiness  ? 

"  A.  I  have  no  hope,  but  I  have  assurance.  I  am  perfect ; 
my  body  is  in  perfect  obedience  to  the  spirit.  I  am  swal- 
lowed up  in  the  power,  that  is,  God.  I  cannot  violate  my 
conscience.  If  I  violate  the  laws  of  the  Bible,  I  have  no  sin 
from  that  consideration. 

"  Q,.  Are  all  your  followers  perfect  ? 

"  A.  None  can  be  perfect  but  the  head.  I  am  the  head, 
and  none  can  be  perfect  as  long  as  I  remain.  There  are  two 
kinds  of  perfection — the  perfection  of  the  head  and  the  per- 
fection of  the  members  ;  my  followers  are  as  perfect,  com- 
pared with  me,  as  the  members  of  a  body  are  compared  with 
the  head. 

"  Q-.  Do  you  consider  yourself  as  the  head,  and  your  fol- 
lowers as  the  members  ? 

'^  A.  Yes.  All  are  led  by  me  as  the  head  is  the  leader  of 
the  body,  and  I  cannot  lead  them  wrong.  I  do  nothing  ac- 
cording to  the  will  of  man. 

"  Q,.  Do  you  consider  yourself  as  at  the  head  of  a  new 
covenant  ? 

"  A.  All  the  covenants  which  God  has  heretofore  entered 
into  with  man  are  at  an  end,  and  a  new  covenant  is  made 
with  me  ;  and  I  have  all  power  to  direct  in  matters  of  this 
covenant. 

"  d.  Should  I  be  desirous  of  obtaining  an  interest  in  this 
covenant,  how  is  it  to  be  effected  ? 

"  A.  I  am  the  object  through  whom  you  must  look  for  all 
the  blessings  of  the  covenant.  You  must  be  presented  to 
God  by  and  through  me,  as  obedient  to  my  words,  which  are 
from  God  and  not  from  man. 

"  Q,.  By  what  evidence  do  you  prove  that  you  are  at  the 


OF     LEYDEN.  257 

head  of  a  new  covenant  ?  You  are  sensible  that  God  gave 
demonstrable  evidence  of  the  divinity  of  the  law  and  of  the 
gospel  by  miracles — the  promulgation  of  those  dispensations 
was  accompanied  with  a  divine  power. 

"  A.  Neither  Moses  nor  Jesus  Christ  wrought  miracles. 
The  proof  of  the  divinity  of  my  doctrines  is  in  the  effects 
they  produce  upon  my  followers.  I  stand  the  same  as  Jesus 
Christ  in  all  respects  ;  my  disciples  stand  in  the  same  relation 
to  me  as  the  disciples  of  Christ  did  to  him. 

''  Q,.  You  have  acknowledged  that  Jesus  CTirist  was  God 
united  to  a  human  body,  and  that  as  God  he  was  to  be  wor- 
shiped. If  you  stand  in  all  respects  as  Jesus  Christ,  are  you 
to  be  worshiped  ? 

"  A.  I  would  not  have  any  person  worship  my  human 
body.  I  am  to  be  worshiped  in  the  same  manner  as 
Jesus  Christ  was  to  be  worshiped,  i.  e.,  as  God  united  to 
human  flesh. 

''  It  appears,  from  his  answers  to  other  questions  which  I 
put,  that  he  refuses  to  take  an  oath,  or  to  stand  in  his  own 
defence.  That  he  denies  to  such  as  he  calls  pure  the  right 
to  kill  beasts  or  to  eat  flesh,  but  that  the  world  may  kill  and 
eat.  The  inconsistencies  in  this  man's  opinions  are  so  ap- 
parent that  I  feel  no  disposition  to  lay  them  together  ;  no 
reader  can  overlook  them.  And  every  mind,  which  is  not 
given  up  to  total  reprobation,  must  be  astonished  at  his  blas- 
phemies. A  number  of  his  followers,  I  understand,  have- 
heretofore  sustained  good  characters,  and  were  valuable  men' 
in  society.  How  such  men  could  have  been  deluded  by  a 
man  so  ignorant,  so  inconsistent,  and  so  impious  and  im- 
moral, is  inconceivable.  It  is  probable,  however,  that,  till 
now,  they  never  had  obtained  a  proper  idea  of  his  sentiments. 
His  manner  of  communicating  his  notions  is  such,  from  his^ 
ignorance  of  language  and  his  confusion  of  ideas,  that  I  found 
it  extremely  difficult  to  obtain  any  proper  knowledge  of  the' 
objects  he  seemed  to  be  after.  I  was  not  certain  I  had 
33 


258  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

penned  any  sentiment  right,  till  he  affirmed  it  to  be  agree- 
able to  his  mind,  after  having  heard  it  read. 

"  Probably  Dorrel  will  endeavor  to  make  his  followers 
believe  that  what  is  here  written  is  not  the  truth,  or  that  he 
meant  to  deceive  me.  But  they  may  rest  assured  that  there 
was  no  deception.  He  appeared  perfectly  open  and  willing 
to  communicate  his  sentiments  ;  and  was  very  careful,  when 
I  had  written  anything  not  agreeable  to  his  mind,  to  correct 
it.  Whatever  effect  this  publication  may  have  upon  Dorrel 
and  his  unhappy  followers,  I  cannot  but  hope  that  it  will 
prevent  any  further  addition  to  the  deluded  company. 

John  Taylor. 

Deerfield,  August  15,  1798." 

The  following  account  of  Dorrel  and  his  followers  is  from 
Barber's  Historical  Collections  respecting  Massachusetts,  page 
261  :  "  He  came  to  America  and  was  captured  with  Bur- 
goyne.  He  lived  for  a  time  in  Petersham,  where  he  married 
a  woman  by  the  name  of  Polly  Chase  ;  he  lived  afterwards 
in  Warwick,  and  then  removed  to  Leyden.  He  was  visited 
by  a  gentleman  in  1834,  from  whom  the  above  and  following 
particulars  are  derived.  He  was  found  living  in  a  poor  old 
house,  situated  in  a  bleak  place,  far  from  any  traveled  road. 
He  was  six  feet  or  more  in  height.  He  did  not  believe  iii 
the  Bible.  He  said  the  first  revelation  was  made  to  him 
when  he  was  chopping  wood  ;  it  was,  '  Render  yourself  an 
acceptable  sacrifice,'  or  something  similar.  He  began  to 
have  followers  in  the  spring  of  1794,  and  at  one  time  twenty 
or  more  families  joined  him  ;  some  were  from  Bernardston. 
Dorrel  held  that  all  days  were  alike,  and  also  to  non- 
resistance,  and  would  say  that  no  arm  of  flesh  could  hurt  him. 
Some  of  his  followers  wore  wooden  shoes  and  tow  cloth. 
Dorrel  possessed  a  good  deal  of  firmness  of  mind,  and  it  is 
said  the  organ  for  this  was  very  fully  developed  in  his  crani- 
um. He  was  in  the  habit  of  occasionally  drinking  too  much  ; 
he  was,  however,  very  punctual  in  fulfilling  all  his  engage- 


OF     LEYDEN.  259 

merits,  whether  drunk  or  sober.     The  sect,  of  which  he  was 
the  head,  it  is  believed  has  become  extinct." 

Some  of  this  sect  lived  in  the  adjoining  town  of  Guilford, 
Vt.,  of  whom  Thompson,  in  his  Gazetteer  of  Vermont,  gives 
the  following  account :  "  In  a  short  time  Dorrel  collected 
a  large  society,  among  whom  were  some  very  respectable 
families  in  the  towns  of  Leyden  and  Bernardston,  Mass. 
People  went  from  all  the  neighboring  towns  to  hear  and  see 
the  marvellous  doings  of  Dorrel  and  his  associates.  At 
length,  at  one  of  their  meetings,  a  goodly  number  having 
assembled,  Dorrel  opened  with  music,  &c.,  and  began  to  de- 
liver his  lectures.  At  that  meeting,  one  Captain  Ezekiel 
Foster,  of  Leyden,  attended  as  a  spectator.  He  was  a  man 
of  good  sense,  of  a  giant  frame,  and  had  a  countenance  that 
bespoke  authority.  When  Dorrel  came  to  the  doctrine  of 
his  mysterious  powers,  he  had  no  sooner  uttered  the  words, 
"  No  arm  can  hurt  my  flesh,"  than  Foster  rose,  indignant 
at  his  blasphemy,  and  knocked  down  Dorrel  with  his  fist. 
Dorrel,  affrighted  and  almost  senseless,  attempted  to  rise, 
when  he  received  a  second  blow,  at  which  he  cried  for 
mercy.  Foster  promised  to  forbear,  on  condition  that  he  . 
would  renounce  his  doctrines,  yet  continued  beating  him. 
Soon  a  short  parley  ensued,  when  Dorrel  consented,  and  did 
renounce  his  doctrines  in  the  hearing  of  all  his  astonished 
followers.  He  further  told  them  that  his  object  was  to  see 
what  fools  he  could  make  of  mankind.  His  followers,  cha- 
grined and  ashamed  at  being  made  the  dupes  of  such  a  base 
fellow,  departed  in  peace  to  their  homes.  Dorrel  promised 
his  adversary,  upon  the  penalties  of  his  life,  never  to  impose 
upon  the  people  more.  That  same  Dorrel  is  now  a  miser- 
able, drunken  pauper,  maintained  by  the  town  of  Leyden, 
(in  1824.)  The  author  had  this  relation  from  said  Foster 
and  many  other  respectable  witnesses."  Dorrel  has  de- 
scendants now  living  in  Leyden. 


260  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 


MONROE. 

Monroe  was  formerly  a  part  of  Rowe,  and  an  unincor- 
porated tract  called  "  the  Gore."  It  was  named  in  honor 
of  James  Monroe,  late  president  of  the  United  States.  It 
was  incorporated  Feb.  21,  1822,  and,  in  1850,  its  population 
was  254. 

This  town  and  Leyden  are  the  only  towns  in  Franklin 
County  in  which  no  Congregational  pastor  has  been  settled, 
and  no  Congregational  church  or  society  ever  formed.  The 
only  society  of  any  denomination  ever  formed  in  Monroe 
was  of  the  Universalist  denomination.  No  church  of  any 
order  was  ever  organized  in  the  town,  and  no  house  for 
religious  worship  ever  built  in  the  place.  School-houses, 
and  the  town-house  built  of  late,  have  been  occupied  when 
religious  meetings  have  been  held.  The  inhabitants  of  the 
town  are  generally  Universalists. 

Universalists.  The  religious  society  of  this  order  was 
organized,  it  is  supposed,  about  1810,  and  became  extinct 
some  years  ago.  The  following  Universalist  preachers  have 
preached  more  or  less  in  Monroe,  viz.,  Revs.  David  Ballou, 
Hosea  F.  Ballou,  Joseph  Barber,  Joy  Bishop.  Jeremiah  Gif- 
ford,  Charles  O.  French,  and  Jonathan  Hix.  The  people 
have  had  no  preaching  statedly  in  town  for  a  year  or  two 
past.  The  following  Universalist  preachers  originated  from 
Monroe,  viz..  Revs.  Moses  Ballou,  Hosea  F.  Ballou,  and 
Jonathan  Hix,  three  in  number. 

Unitarians.  Rev.  Russell  A.  Ballou,  a  Unitarian  preacher 
from  Monroe,  was  lately  settled  over  the  Unitarian  Society 
in  West  Bridgewater. 

Summary  of  preachers  from  Monroe  :  Unitarians,  1  ;  Uni- 
versalists, 3.     Total,  4. 


OF     MONTAGUE.  261 


MONTAGUE. 

This  town  began  to  be  settled  about  1726,  and  originally 
belonged  to  Sunderland,  and  was  formerly  called  "  Hunting 
Hills,"  and  was  erected  into  a  precinct  in  1751,  and  called 
the  Second  Precinct  of  Sunderland.  It  was  incorporated 
Dec.  22,  1753  ;  and  its  population  in  1850  was  1518. 

Four  churches  have  been  organized  in  Montague,  viz., 
one  Orthodox  Congregational,  one  Baptist,  one  Episcopal, 
and  one  Unitarian. 

CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

Church.  The  early  records  of  this  church  being  lost,  it 
cannot  be  ascertained  definitely  and  certainly,  loheii  it  was 
organized.  Rev.  Mr.  Gates,  the  second  pastor,  says,  "  I  was 
informed  by  the  older  members  of  the  church,  that  the 
church  was  organized  at,  or  about  the  time  of  Mr.  Nash's 
ordination.  This  I  suppose  to  be  the  fact."  Mr.  Nash  was 
ordained  Nov.  22,  1752.  The  first  Meeting-house  of  this 
people  was  built  in  1753,  and  the  second  and  present  house 
of  worship  was  built  a  few  rods  southeast  of  the  first  one 
in  1834.  Revivals  have  been  enjoyed  by  this  people  as  fol- 
lows:  one  in  1816,  and  21  added  to  the  church;  one  in 
1819,  and  13  added  ;  one  in  1822,  and  29  added;  one  in 
1831,  and  19  added ;  one  in  1839,  and  22  added  ;  one  in 
1847,  and  16  added ;  and  one  in  1853,  and  21  added.  This 
church  began  to  receive  missionary  aid  in  1829,  and-  has  re- 
ceived $226 ;  but  for  many  years  past  it  has  not  been  aided. 
The  amount  contributed  by  this  people  to  benevolent  ob- 
jects in  1853  was  |317  48.  The  Sabbath  School  in  1852 
numbered  200.  The  number  in  the  church  in  1853  was 
134,  In  1807  this  church  invited  Rev.  Elisha  D.  Andrews 
to  settle  as  pastor  ;  and  in  1828  invited  Rev.  Elijah  *Paine  to 
settle  as  pastor ;  both  of  whom  declined  to  settle.  If  this 
church  were  organized  in  1752,  then  during  the  one  hun- 


262  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

dred  and  one  years  since  its  organization,  it  has  had  settled 
pastors  ninety-three  years,  and  has  been  destitute  of  a 
settled  ministry  eight  years.  This  church  has  had  five 
pastors. 

Pastors.  1.*  Rev.  Judah  Nash  was  ordained  as  the  first 
pastor  of  this  church,  Nov.  22,  1752,  and  after  a  ministry  of 
fifty-two  years  and  three  months,  died  while  pastor  in  Mon- 
tague, Feb.  19,  1805,  aged  76.  Mr.  Nash  was  born  in 
Longmeadow,  Jan.  11,  1729;  and  graduated  at  Yale  in 
1748.  His  widow  died  in  Montague,  Sept.  9,  1824,  aged 
97.  He  has  descendants  living  in  the  town.  His  funeral 
sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Joseph  Kilburn  of  Wendell, 
and  was  published,  from  which  the  following  is  an  extract : 

"  We,  among  whom  he  has  preached  the  kingdom  of 
God,  shall  now  see  his  face  no  more.  No  longer  can  our 
houses  and  our  hearts  be  open  to  welcome  his  reception 
among  us ;  to  receive  counsel  from  his  lips,  or  to  hear  the 
words  of  truth  from  his  instructive  tongue.  His  affability 
and  mildness  of  temper  served  eminently  to  his  usefulness 
as  a  counsellor  in  difficult  cases.  He  had  a  readiness  and 
pertinence  of  observation  in  administering  reproof  peculiar  to 
himself.  This  being  one  of  the  most  difficult  parts  of  the 
ministerial  office,  the  due  performance  of  it,  without  giving 
offence,  is  worthy  of  peculiar  notice.  His  advice  in  council 
has  been  sought  and  improved  to  the  edification  of  the 
churches  in  this  vicinity,  and  in  places  more  distant.  His 
knowledge  of  the  scriptures,  and  of  the  history  of  the 
church,  joined  with  a  tenacious  memory,  rendered  him  pecul- 
iarly serviceable  as  a  counsellor.  He  has  lived  to  be  a 
moderator  of  councils,  of  conventions  of  ministers,  and  at 
ordinations  to  give  the  charge  to  most  of  his  survivors  in 
this  vicinity.  This  duty  he  performed  with  a  solemnity  and 
gravity,  in  the  phraseology  of  scripture,  becoming  the  dig- 
nity of  his  station,  and  in  a  manner  adapted  to  leave  the 
most  salutary  and  lasting  impression  on  the  mind  and  heart. 
His  religious  sentiments  appeared  to  be  the  result  of  calm 


OF     MONTAGUE.  263 

inquiry  after  the  truth  as  revealed  in  the  gospel  of  Jesus 
Christ.  Far  from  calling  any  man  master  on  earth,  he 
studied  the  sacred  text,  and  imbibed  his  sentiments  from 
that  living  fountain.  He  studied  plainness  of  speech,  and 
sound  doctrine,  such  as  might  be  profitable  to  the  hearers  ; 
and  was  very  pathetic  in  his  exhortations,  that  they  might 
not  receive  the  grace  of  God  in  vain. 

"  His  life  and  conversation  were  a  transcript  of  the  doc- 
trines he  taught.  His  moderation  no  doubt  contributed  to 
the  length  of  his  days,  and  protracted  the  preservation  of  an 
enfeebled  constitution.  He  sympathized  with  his  afflicted 
fellow-mortals,  and  administered  the  balm  of  consolation  to 
hearts  wounded  with  grief.  He  was  benevolent  and  chari- 
table, entertaining  his  friends  with  hospitality  and  kindness  ; 
practising  economy,  and  living  in  a  style  which  enabled 
him  to  help  the  poor  and  needy.  The  constancy  of  his  de- 
votion, with  the  exercise  of  that  charity  which  is  the  bond 
of  perfectness,  evinced  the  real  piety  of  his  heart.  Among 
his  friends  he  was  a  son  of  consolation  in  a  time  of  adversi- 
ty ;  and  at  other  times  he  instructed  and  edified  his  com- 
panions by  a  free  conversation.  By  the  fireside,  as  well  as 
in  the  sacred  desk,  he  delighted  in  communicating  the 
truths  of  the  gospel.  His  company  was  highly  prized  by 
those  who  knew  how  to  prize  good  humor  and  sociability 
with  intellectual  and  moral  improvement.  Free  from  super- 
stitious bigotry  in  his  sentiments,  he  could  patiently  hear 
the  reasons  of  a  different  opinion.  His  readiness  in  the 
scriptures,  and  clear  understanding  of  the  arguments  used 
by  the  sacred  writers,  enabled  him  to  obviate  the  objections 
of  cavilling  infidelity  and  senseless  fatality. 

"  He  was  candid  in  his  sentiments  and  judicious  in  his 
remarks,  faithful  in  performing  his  ministerial  duty,  and  a 
lover  of  the  people  of  his  charge.  Not  long  before  his 
decease,  he  was  heard  to  observe,  that  he  intended  the 
duties  of  his  office  should  be  among  the  last  he  performed  in 
life.     And  accordingly  it  was  so  ordered  by  a  superintend- 


264  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS. 

ing  providence,  that  he  continued  his  ministerial  public 
labors  till  a  short  time  before  his  death.  But  the  candle  of 
life,  which  has  so  long  shone  in  this  candlestick  of  our  Lord, 
is  now  extinguished.  The  pastor  of  this  church  is  now 
gone,  and  they  shall  see  his  face  no  more  in  the  land  of  the 
living.  Another  solemn  meeting,  however,  awaits  both 
pastor  and  people  in  the  great  day,  when  God  shall  judge 
the  world  by  Jesus  Christ.  Then  they  who  have  received 
the  testimony  of  the  grace  of  God,  and  wisely  improved  it, 
shall  be  admitted  to  join  the  triumphs  of  the  cross  of  Christ 
in  his  kingdom  of  glory.  There,  faithful  pastors  and  pious 
people  shall  meet  in  the  joy  of  their  Lord  to  part  no  more." 
The  following  is  a  part  of  the  inscription  on  the  grave- 
stone of  Mr.  Nash  :  "  Faithful  to  his  God,  a  lover  of  Christ's 
church,  a  friend  to  mankind." 


"  Ever  ready  to  hear  affliction's  cry, 
And  trace  his  Maker's  will  with  curious  eye, 
He  tried  each  art,  reproved  each  dull  delay, 
Allur'd  to  brighter  worlds,  and  led  the  way  ; 
At  church,  with  meek  and  unaffected  grace, 
His  looks  adorned  the  venerable  place." 


2.*  Rev.  Aaron  Gates  was  settled  as  the  second  pastor  of 
this  church,  Oct.  27,  1807,  and  after  a  ministry  of  about 
twenty  years  was  dismissed,  Dec.  12,  1827.  Mr.  Gates  was 
born  in  East  Haddam,  Ct.,  Aug.  12,  1780;  graduated  at 
Williams  in  1804 ;  studied  theology  Avith  Rev.  Dr.  Lathrop 
of  West  Springfield ;  after  leaving  Montague,  was  installed 
as  pastor  in  South  Amherst,  Feb.  1,  1832,  and  was  dis- 
missed from  there  in  April,  1835  ;  supplied  in  East  Hartland, 
Ct.,  about  six  years  ;  and  then  in  West  Hartland,  Ct.,  about 
three  years;  and  died  in  Barkhamstead,  Ct.,  April  4,  1850, 
aged  about  70. 

The  following  obituary  notice  of  him  was  published  in 
the  Puritan  Recorder  for  May  2,  1850  :     "  As  a  minister,  he 


OF     MONTAGUE.  265 

was  judicious,  evangelical  and  faithful.  As  a  husband,  a 
father,  and  a  friend,  his  memory  is  precious.  His  last  ill- 
ness of  three  weeks'  continuance  was  distressing,  and  his 
mind  often  wandered.  But  whenever  conscious  of  his  situa- 
tion, he  manifested  peculiar  anxiety  for  the  spiritual  welfare 
of  his  people.  "  I  cannot  preach  to  them,"  he  would  say, 
"but  I  can  pray  for  them."  The  remains  of  Mr.  Gates 
were  brought  to  East  Hartland,  to  be  buried  among  the 
people  of  his  former  charge,  and  by  the  side  of  a  beloved 
daughter.  His  funeral  was  numerously  attended,  April  6, 
in  the  Congregational  church,  where  an  appropriate  sermon 
was  delivered  by  the  pastor,  Rev.  Nelson  Scott."  Mr.  Scott 
has  kindly  furnished  the  author  with  the  following  account 
of  Mr.  Gates,  with  the  liberty  of  inserting  it  in  this  work, 
viz. : — 

"  The  following  note  in  reference  to  the  Rev.  Aaron 
Gates,  former  pastor  of  the  Congregational  church  in  Mon- 
tague, is  cheerfully  placed  at  your  disposal  : 

"Mr.  Gates  received  the  ordinance  of  baptism  in  August, 
1788,  in  the  Congregational  church  at  Hartland,  Ct.,  where 
his  parents  had  been  admitted  to  communion  in  January  of 
the  same  year ;  and  whither  they  had  removed  from  East 
Haddam,  Ct.  His  father,  afterwards,  and  for  some  years, 
sustained  the  office  of  deacon  in  that  church.  Mr.  Gates 
spent  the  period  of  his  boyhood  with  his  father,  being  fitted 
for  college  under  the  tuition  of  Rev.  Aaron  Church,  second 
pastor  of  the  church  in  Hartland.  With  a  mind  somewhat 
forward  in  its  developments,  and  in  consequence  of  being 
partially  and  providentially  disenabled  for  the  pursuits  of 
agriculture,  he  was  fitted  for,  and  entered,  college  young. 
Of  his  relative  standing  the  writer  has  no  definite  means  of 
knowing ;  though  he  is  said  to  have  been  a  good  scholar. 

"  The  expenses  of   his  collegiate  course   were  defrayed 

mostly  by  his  own  exertions.      Mr.  Gates  stood  therefore 

among   that  class  of  ministers,  who   know  the  value  of  a 

hard-earned  education ;    whg  have  learned  to  adapt  them- 

34 


266  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

selves  to  an  economical  style  of  living,  and  who  have  early- 
been  inured  to  exertion.  He  entered  college  with  the  min- 
istry in  view,  though  in  his  own  judgment  he  had  not  at 
that  time  met  with  a  change  of  heart.  This  necessary 
change  he  hoped  was  experienced  while  a  member  of  Wil- 
liams. After  his  graduation  he  returned  to  Hartland,  where 
he  united  with  the  church,  Nov.  4,  1804.  Soon  after  this 
event  he  entered,  among  others,  on  his  theological  studies 
with  Dr.  Lathrop  of  West  Springfield.  Having  completed 
this  part  of  his  preparatory  studies,  Mr.  Gates  preached  his 
first  sermon  at  Hartland,  from  these  words  :  '  Run,  speak  to 
this  young  man :'  Zech.  ii.  4,  His  peculiar  manner  of 
enunciating  this  text,  as  if  addressing  some  one  at  the  door 
of  the  church,  is  remembered  by  some  to  this  day,  over  an 
interval  of  fifty  years.  This  occurred  not  many  months 
previous  to  his  receiving  an  invitation  to  preach  in  Montague. 
Of  his  labors  and  success  as  a  pastor  for  twenty  years  in  that 
place,  your  pages  will  speak  more  definitely  than  the  writer 
of  this  article  has  been  informed. 

"  The  ministry  of  Mr.  Gates,  after  his  dismission  from  Mon- 
tague, a  period  of  twenty-four  years,  was  divided  between 
'South  Amherst,  Hartland,  West  Hartland  and  Barkhamsted  ; 
he  being  out  of  regular  employment  only  an  interval  of 
about  two  years  previous  to  entering  on  his  labors  in  the 
last  named  place.  In  the  two  former  of  these  places  he  was 
privileged  to  see  some  precious  fruits  of  his  labors,  in  the 
hopeful  conversion  of  many  souls. 

"  At  the  time  of  his  decease  Mr.  Gates  had  been  preaching 
in  Barkhamsted  about  six.  months,  and  was  laid  aside  from 
his  labors  only  about  two  weeks  previous  to  his  death.  His 
remains  are  deposited  in  Hartland  cemetery,  whither  they 
were  brought  for  interment,  in  accordance  with  a  previous 
request. 

-'  Mr.  Gates,  while  in  the  vigor  of  life,  is  said  to  have 
manifested  in  the  pulpit  a  good  degree  of  energy  and  so- 
lemnity.    His  manner  was  affectionate  and  often  emotional ; 


OF     MONTAGUE.  267 

himself  sometimes  weeping  while  giving  utterance  to  his 
solemn  message.  His  theology  was  drawn  from  the  Sa'ip- 
tures,  rather  than  from  Germany ;  while  he  deeply  felt  the 
great  importance  of  integrity  in  the  ministry  as  to  the  doc- 
trines inculcated. 

"In  revivals,  Mr.  Gates  is  believed  to  have  been  both 
faithful  and  judicious.  He  would  never  encourage  any  one 
to  hope  that  he  had  met  with  a  change  of  heart ;  but  on  the 
contrary  would  rather  discourage  such  hope,  by  presenting 
some  clear  and  close  scriptural  test.  He  was  accustomed  to 
say  that  'he  was  none  afraid  of  getting  away  another's 
christian  hope,  which  was  good  for  anything  ;  and  the  sub- 
ject would  find  out  soon  enough  whether  he  had  such  a 
hope  ;  there  was  no  need  of  telling  him.'  Mr.  Gates'  percep- 
tion of  christian  character  was  quick  and  clear.  In  a  time 
of  religious  excitement,  he  once  intimated  to  several  young 
persons  expressing  great  confidence  that  they  were  chris- 
tians, that  he  saw  no  good  evidence  of  their  having  experi- 
enced such  a  change.  They  were  deeply  grieved,  and  per- 
haps, we  might  say,  offended.  But  those  persons  now  make 
no  pretensions  to  being  the  followers  of  the  Lamb. 

"  Finally,  Mr.  Gates'  ministry  of  44  years  is  believed  to 
have  been  creditable  to  himself,  and  instrumental  of  bringing 
many  to  Christ.  And  in  allusion  to  the  text  selected  for  the 
occasion  of  his  funeral,  we  trust  very  many  will  become  the 
occasion  of  his  joy,  and  a  part  of  his  crown  of  rejoicing  in 
the  presence  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  at  his  coming." 

3.  Rev.  Moses  B.  Bradford  was  ordained  as  the  third 
pastor  of  this  church,  Nov.  19,  1828,  and  after  a  ministry  of 
about  three  years  was  dismissed,  Jan.  16,  1832.  Mr.  Brad- 
ford was  born  in  Francestown,  N.  H.,  April  20,  1709  ;  gradu- 
ated at  Amherst  in  1825 ;  studied  theology  with  Rev.  Dr. 
Packard  of  Shelburne  ;  was  licensed  by  Franklin  Association 
in  May,  1827;  after  his  dismission  from  Montague  was  in- 
stalled as  pastor  in  Grafton,  Vt.,  Oct.  31,  1832,  and  still 
remains  a  pastor  in  that  place.     Rev.  Dr.  Humphrey,  then 


268  CHURCHES      AND     MINISTERS 

President  of  Amherst  College,  preached  his  ordination  sermon 
at  Montague.  Mr.  Bradford's  father,  Rev.  Moses  Bradford, 
was  a  minister,  and  for  a  long  time  pastor  of  the  church  in 
Francestown,  N.  H.,  and  died  in  Montague,  June  13,  1838, 
aged  73 ;  and  several  of  his  brothers  were  likewise  ministers. 
About  150  have  been  added  to  his  church  during  the  twenty- 
one  years  of  his  ministry  in  Grafton,  Vt. 

4.*  Rev.  Benjamin  Holmes  was  installed  as  the  fourth 
pastor  of  this  church,  Nov.  18,  1834,  and  after  a  ministry  of 
about  three  years  and  a  half  was  dismissed,  May  16,  1838. 
Mr.  Holmes  was  born  in  Misfield,  Yorkshire,  England,  in 
1768 ;  he  studied  for  the  ministry  under  Rev.  Mr.  Scott  of 
Heckmondwyke,  England,  and  never  graduated  at  any  col- 
lege. He  was  settled  at  Park  and  Caddishead  and  Stratford- 
upon-Avon,  in  England ;  came  to  the  United  States  about 
1819;  preached  in  Madrid,  N.  Y.,  Andover,  N.  Y.,  for  nine 
years,  Chatham,  N.  Y.,  Weathersfield  Bow,  Vt.,  for  three 
years,  Chesterfield  for  four  years,  Peacham,  Vt.,  West  Brook- 
field,  Vt.,  and  his  last  field  of  labor  was  Bethany  Centre,  N. 
Y.  He  died  in  the  last  named  place,  and  his  remains  were 
buried  in  Lancaster,  N.  Y.,  and  funeral  sermons  were  preached 
by  Rev.  Mr.  Hart  of  East  Bethany,  N.  Y.,  and  by  Rev.  J. 
C.  Lord  of  Buffalo,  N.  Y.  The  following  is  the  inscription 
upon  his  monument,  viz. :  "  Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Rev. 
Benjamin  Holmes,  who  departed  this  life,  Aug.  2,  1845, 
aged  77.  He  was  a  native  of  Yorkshire,  England ;  an  able 
divine,  and  a  laborious  minister  of  the  New  Testament  for 
a  period  of  fifty-five  years.  The  last  Sabbath  of  his  life  he 
discoursed  to  his  people  from  Revelation  ii.  11." 

The  following  obituary  notice  of  him  was  Avritten  by  Rev. 
A.  G.  Hall  of  Rochester,  N.  Y.  :  "  Mr.  Holmes  was  a  native 
of  England.  He  was  the  child  of  pious  parents,  who  trained 
him  in  the  strict  principles  of  the  dissenters.  He  became 
the  subject  of  renewing  grace  early  in  life  ;  and  at  the  age  of 
nineteen  was  in  the  habit  of  collecting  the  poor  and  ignorant 
and  neglected  in  the  neighborhood,  and  telling  them  of  the 


OF    MONTAGUE.  269 

love  of  Christ.  At  an  eady  age  he  studied  for  the  ministry, 
and  for  fifty-five  years  he  preached  the  gospel  with  fidelity 
and  success.  During  all  this  period  he  preached  every  Sab- 
bath, except  about  twenty-five,  when  he  was  prevented  by 
sickness.  He  usually  preached  three  times  on  the  Sabbath. 
He  loved  to  preach.  When  on  his  way  to  this  country, 
twenty-six  years  ago,  he  preached  on  shipboard  every  Sab- 
bath, though  often  obliged  to  be  lashed  to  the  mast,  on  ac- 
count of  the  rolling  and  tossing  of  the  vessel.  For  several 
years  he  was  the  pastor  of  a  dissenting  church  in  Stratford- 
upon-Avon,  the  birthplace  of  Shakspeare.  He  was  associ- 
ated with  Rev.  J,  A.  James  of  Birmingham,  who  wrote  his 
testimonials  when  he  left  his  native  country.  He  has  labored 
for  the  last  quarter  of  a  century  in  various  places  in  this 
country,  with  tokens  of  the  divine  favor.  He  loved  the  great 
doctrines  of  grace,  and  could  not  bear  those  who  derided  or 
perverted  them.  While  he  was  decided  in  his  resistance  to  error, 
and  plain  and  faithful  in  rebuking  it,  he  was  at  the  same  time 
remarkably  kind.  His  preaching  was  instructive.  It  was  food 
for  the  saint — sound,  scriptural,  and  experimental.  None 
could  hear  him  without  receiving  the  impression  that  his 
own  soul  was  deeply  imbued  with  the  truth  which  he 
uttered.  He  possessed  the  happy  faculty  of  mingling  re- 
ligious truth  with  cheerful  conversation,  and  in  this  way,  of 
making  religion  prominent  without  rude  obtrusiveness.  He 
was  eminent  for  practical  wisdom.  Many  young  clergymen 
and  others  will  remember  the  counsel  of  "  Father  Holmes  " 
with  gratitude.  He  possessed  to  the  last  almost  the  ardor  of 
his  youth.  Very  few  young  men  exhibit  as  much  unction 
and  energy  as  he  at  the  age  of  77.  He  exchanged  time  for 
eternity  suddenly.  On  Wednesday  he  preached  with  unusual 
unction.  He  seemed  so  full  of  heaven,  that  one  of  his 
hearers  remarked  to  another,  that  he  could  not  remain  long 
in  this  world.  On  Friday  night,  while  asleep,  he  died  with- 
out a  struggle  or  a  groan.  He  went  to  heaven  with  his 
armor  on.     During  a  long  life  he  had  borne  testimony  to  the 


270  CHURCHES      AND     MINISTERS 

truth,  the  vitality,  and  the  power  of  the  gospel ;  in  death 
God  suffered  him  to  be  silent.  A  living  is  better  than  a 
dying  testimony." 

His  widow  says  of  him  :  "  Besides  his  Sabbath  labors,  he 
usually  preached  three  and  four  times  during  the  week.  His 
general  study  was  the  Bible  ;  and  it  can  be  truly  said,  it  was 
his  meat  and  drink.  His  desire  was,  that  he  might  be  al- 
lowed to  preach  the  gospel  to  the  end  of  his  days.  In  this 
he  was  gratified,  as  he  jDreached  on  Wednesday,  and  died  in 
the  night  of  Friday  the  same  week."  His  widow  and 
several  children  still  survive.  His  son,  Rev.  Henry  B. 
Holmes,  was  once  a  pastor  in  Sunderland,  and  is  now  an 
agent  of  the  American  Tract  Society,  residing  at  Andover. 

5.  Rev.  James  H.  Merrill  was  ordained  as  the  fifth  pastor 
of  this  church,  Nov.  26,  1839,  and  has  entered  on  the 
fifteenth  year  of  his  ministry  in  Montague.  Mr.  Merrill  was 
born  in  Lyndeboro',  N.  H.,  Oct.  16,  1814,  and  his  father  was 
for  a  long  time  a  pastor  in  that  place  ;  graduated  at  Dart- 
mouth in  1834  ;  studied  theology  at  Andover  ;  and  has  been 
settled  only  at  Montague. 

Of  the  jive  pastors  of  this  church,  three  were  dismissed  ; 
three  are  deceased  ;  and  the  average  length  of  their  pastorates 
in  Montague  is  about  eighteen  years  and  a  half. 

congregational  ministers   originating  from  MONTAGUE. 

1.  Rev.  Lucius  R.  Eastman  was  born,  Sept.  15,  1809,  in 
Hadley,  in  a  house  standing  on  the  spot  where  Goffe  and 
Whalley,  the  "  regicides,"  were  long  concealed  ;  at  about  two 
years  of  age  Montague  became  the  place  of  his  residence  ; 
graduated  at  Amherst  in  1833 ;  finished  the  theological 
course  at  Andover  in  1836  ;  was  settled  as  pastor  at  Sharon, 
Nov.  15,  1837,  and  Rev.  Calvin  Durfee  preached  on  the 
occasion ;  was  dismissed  from  there  in  1840 ;  preached  two 
years  in  Berkley ;  then  preached  in  Provincetown  ;  in  1845 
preached  in  Boston  and  gathered  the  Pilgrim  Congregational 


OF     MONTAGUE.  271 

Society  ;  in  1S16  returned  to  Berkley,  and  is  still  supplying 
a  church  in  that  place. 

2.*  Rev.  Walter  Gunn  was  born  in  Montague,  June  27, 
1815,  and  removed  to  Carlisle,  N.  Y.,  in  1833;  in  1837  he 
joined  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  ;  graduated  at  Union 
in  1840  ;  studied  theology  in  the  Seminary  at  Gettysburgh, 
Penn.  ;  was  licensed  Sept.  6,  1842,  by  the  Lutheran  Synod  ; 
was  appointed  a  missionary  to  the  heathen  in  the  Lutheran 
Connexion,  May  25,  1843  ;  was  married  to  Miss  L.  Pultz  of 
New  York  ;  was  ordained  as  a  missionary  at  Johnstown,  N.Y., 
Sept.  5,  1843,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  J.  Z.  Senderling  ; 
embarked  from  Boston  in  November,  1843  ;  arrived  at  Gun- 
toor,  India,  June  18,  1844,  where  he  lived  and  labored  for 
the  salvation  of  the  heathen  till  his  last  sickness  and  death. 
He  died  with  the  consumption.  Two  days  before  his  death, 
being  asked  if  he  had  any  fears,  he  replied,  "  None  at  all — 
all  is  bright  and  glorious."  Respecting  his  two  children,  he 
said  to  his  wife,  "  Train  up  the  children  for  Christ."  On 
the  day  of  his  death  he  said,  "  If  this  could  be  my  last  day, 
oh  how  delightful  !"  The  native  converts  watched  with  the 
corpse,  and  sung  during  the  time, 

"  Rock  of  ages  cleft  for  me." 

His  Memoir  has  been  published  by  Rev.  G.  A.  Lintner, 
D.  D.,  in  a  little  volume  of  156  pages,  from  which  the  fol- 
lowing sentences  are  taken  :  "  Mr.  Gunn  devoted  himself  to 
the  work  of  foreign  missions  from  a  principle  of  love  to  his 
divine  Master,  and  a  sincere  regard  for  his  glory."  "  He 
was  eminently  a  man  of  prayer."  "  Our  departed  brother 
had  an  ardent  love  for  souls,  and  a  predominant  desire  for 
the  salvation  of  the  heathen."  The  following  is  from  his 
diary,  viz.  :  "  Our  desires  to  labor  among  the  heathen  are 
the  same  that  they  were  between  five  and  six  years  ago 
when  we  left  the  shores  of  our  native  land.  Here,  if  it 
please  God,  we  wish  to  spend  the  energies  of  our  body  and 
mind,  to  preach,  to  pray,  to  labor,  and  to  die.     We  have 


272  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

embarked  our  all  in  the  cause,  and  we  regret  not  the  de- 
cision." 

He  died  in  Guntoor,  India,  July  5,  1851,  aged  36.  His 
widow  still  survives,  a  laborer  in  the  foreign  field.  Though 
Mr.  Gunn  became  a  Lutheran  after  his  removal  from  Mon- 
tague, yet,  as  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  so  nearly 
agrees  in  its  main  features  with  Orthodox  Congregational 
churches,  he  is,  for  convenience's  sake,  reckoned  among  the 
Congregational  sons  of  Montague.  An  error  occurs  in  his 
Memoir  in  giving  Carlisle,  N.Y.,  as  his  birthplace,  instead  of 
Montague. 

3.  Rev.  Justin  Marsh  was  born  in  Montague,  March  14, 
1796  ;  graduated  at  Amherst  in  1824  ;  studied  theology  with 
Rev.  Allen  McLean  of  Simsbury,  Ct.  ;  was  licensed  by  the 
Hartford  North  Association,  Ct.,  Feb.  6,  1827  ;  was  ordained 
at  Farmington,  Ct.,  as  a  Home  Missionary,  Oct.  14,  1828, 
and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  A.  McLean  ;  preached  from 
1828  to  1831  in  Mina,  N.  Y.  ;  from  1831  to  1834  supplied 
in  West  Aurora,  N.  Y.  ;  preached  a  year  or  two  in  Cattarau- 
gus County,  N.  Y. ;  then  preached  a  year  in  Orangeville, 
N.  Y.  ;  labored  a  year  in  a  parish  thirty  miles  long  at  Battle 
Creek,  Mich.  ;  has  since  preached  at  Leoni,  Mich.,  and  Grass 
Lake,  Mich.,  and  Augusta,  Mich.  ;  was  installed  pastor  of 
the  church  at  Stoney  Creek,  Mich.,  June  22,  1842,  and  Rev. 
C.  G.  Clarke  preached  the  sermon  ;  was  dismissed  from  there 
Feb.  8,  1848  ;  from  1848  to  1852  preached  in  Tekonsha  and 
Eckford,  Mich. ;  was  installed  as  pastor  at  Lodi,  Mich.,  Dec. 
16,  1852,  where  he  still  remains,  and  Rev.  W.  S.  Curtiss  of 
Ann  Arbor  preached  on  the  occasion.  Liberty  is  given  to 
insert  the  following  statement  of  Mr.  Marsh,  viz.  :  "  A  de- 
voted home  missionary's  life  is  of  course  full  of  incidents. 
He  has  to  grapple  with  all  the  various  elements  of  mind, 
with  wickedness  and  error,  and  talk  kindly  and  reason 
strongly  with  all.  I  could  tell  you  of  being  kicked  out  of 
doors,  and  the  fact  bringing  all  the  Universalists  around  to 
hear  me  preach  the  next  Sabbath  ;  of  mock  meetings,  and  of 


O  K  M  O  N  T  A  G  U  E  .  ♦  273 

spies  sent  over  to  our  meetings  to  get  something  to  mock  at, 
and  their  being  detained,  captm-ed,  and,  by  the  grace  of  God, 
made  new  men  ;  of  a  man  getting  up  in  a  public  congrega- 
tion and  making  voluntary  confession  for  his  yesterday's 
abuse  of  me.  But  let  one  example  of  confession  suffice  for 
the  whole.  One  very  severe  Saturday  night,  just  as  the 
clock  struck  twelve,  some  one  knocked  at  my  door  very 
loud.       On    opening    the    door   a    tall    figure    stood    there. 

'  Mr. ,'  said  he,  '  will  you  forgive  me  ?'     Certainly,  but 

who  are  you  ?  said  I,  '  O,  that  wicked ,'  naming  him- 
self, '  that  has  made  you  so  much  trouble.'  He  had  opposed 
me  in  every  possible  way  for  two  years,  and  now  had  come 
through  the  cold  for  two  miles,  at  dead  of  a  tedious  night,  to 
ask  my  forgiveness.  I  invited  him  in,  conversed  and  prayed 
with  him.  He  is  now  a  very  consistent  member  of  the 
church."  Mr.  Marsh  has  published  several  sermons.  He  is 
now  living  with  his  second  wife,  who  was  from  Ashfield, 
and  he  has  three  children. 

Rev.  Moses  Bradford,  who  was  for  a  long  time  a  pastor 
in  Francestown,  N.  H.,  died  in  Montague,  June  13,  1838, 
aged  73. 

Of  the  three  ministers  here  reckoned  as  sons  of  Montague, 
two  are  natives  of  the  town ;  one  is  a  Congregationalist, 
one  a  Presbyterian,  and  one  was  a  Lutheran  ;  all  were  grad- 
uates ;  orie  is  a  home  missionary  and  one  was  a  foreign  mis- 
sionary ;  and  two  are  now  living. 

OTHER    DENOMINATIONS. 

Baptists.  A  Baptist  church  was  organized  in  Montague, 
July  16,  1767,  "  and  was  for  several  years  known  as  the 
Baptist  church  of  Montague."  "As  they  increased,  the 
centre  was  removed  in  this  direction,  (towards  Leverett,) 
and,  in  1791,  the  name  was  changed  to  the  'Baptist  Church 
of  Leverett.'  "  The  meeting-house  and  the  centre  of  opera- 
tions are  in  North  Leverett,  and  it  is  now  called  the  "  Bap- 
tist Church  of  Leverett  and  Montague."  While  this  church 
35 


274  CHURCHES      AND     MINISTERS 

was  considered  as  being  in  Montague,  among  the  preachers 
who  supplied  it  were  Messrs.  Ebenezer  Cooley,  Isaac  Beal, 
and  Simeon  Combs.  The  Baptist  church  located  in  Sunder- 
land is  called  the  "  Baptist  Church  of  Sunderland  and  Mon- 
tague," and  its  members  reside  in  the  two  towns.  The  fol- 
lowing Baptist  ministers  originated  from  Montague,  viz., 
Revs.  Elisha  Gunn,  Alfred  W.  Osgood,  Judah  Wright,  and 
Azel  O.  Sparry,  a  Freewill  Baptist. 

Episcopalians.  ''  The  Society  was  first  organized,  July 
13,  1815.  The  Rev.  Titus  Strong  was  invited  to  the  Rec- 
torship, July  24,  1815,  who  has  occasionally  preached  for  the 
Society.  The  Rev.  George  White  supplied  in  1816,  and  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Bowers  in  1817.  The  Rev.  Rodolphus  Dickinson 
supplied  in  1833,  and  preached  several  years  afterwards. 
The  Rev.  Orange  Clark  preached  in  1844,  and  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Clapp  in  1845.  Since  that  there  have  been  no  meetings 
of  the  Society." 

Unitarians.  The  Unitarian  church  was  organized  Nov. 
4,  1828,  with  twelve  members.  Among  the  preachers  who 
have  supplied  this  church  are  Revs.  Timothy  F.  Rogers, 
Joseph  Field,  Rodolphus  Dickinson,  Luther  Wilson,  John  A. 
Williams,  William  H.  Hadley,  Nathaniel  O.  Chaffee,  Davis 
Smith.  Hermon  SnoAV  and  Davis  Smith  in  1852,  and  Clau- 
dius Bradford  in  1853. 

Summary  of  preachers  originating  from  Montague  :  Con- 
gregationalists,  3  ;  Baptists,  4.     Total,  7. 

NEW  SALEM. 

The  township  was  granted  to  individuals  living  in  Salem, 
Dec.  31,  1734,  and  began  to  be  settled  about  1737,  and  was 
incorporated,  June  15,  1753.  The  population  of  the  town 
in  1850  was  1253.  Five  churches  have  been  organized  in 
this  place,  viz.,  three  Congregational,  one  of  which  has  be- 
come Unitarian,  one  Baptist,  and  one  Methodist. 


OF     NEW     SALEM.  275 


ORTHODOX    CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

First  Church.  The  first  Congregational  church  in  the 
town  was  probably  organized  about  the  time  of  the  settle- 
ment of  its  first  pastor,  Dec.  15,  1742.  But  as  the  early- 
records  of  the  church  are  lost,  the  definite  date  of  its  forma- 
tion cannot  with  certainty  be  ascertained.  This  church 
became  Unitarian  in  the  fore  part  of  the  present  century. 
It  was  voted  to  build  the  first  Meeting-house,  June  8,  1738. 
The  second  house  of  worship  was  built  in  1793  ;  and  was 
rebuilt  in  1837.  In  1807,  this  society  likewise  built  another 
house  of  worship,  about  four  miles  northeasterly  from  the 
centre,  for  the  accommodation  of  those  who  lived  in  that  part 
of  the  town,  and  had  preaching  in  it  fifteen  Sabbaths  in  the 
year.  This  last  named  meeting-house  was  sold  to  the  new 
Congregational  society  that  was  formed  in  1824.  In  the 
sixty-two  years  since  the  probable  period  of  the  organization 
of  this  church  till  the  settlement  of  its  first  Unitarian  pastor,  it 
has  had  a  settled  ministry  about  fifty-six  years,  and  has  been 
destitute  of  the  same  about  six  years.  During  this  period  the 
church  has  had  two  pastors. 

Pastors.  1.*  Rev.  Samuel  Kendall  was  settled  as  the 
first  pastor  of  this  church,  Dec.  15,  1742,  and  after  a  ministry 
of  about  thirty-three  years  was  dismissed  in  March,  1776, 
and  continued  to  live  in  the  town  till  his  death.  His  dis- 
mission, which  occurred  near  the  commencement  of  the 
revolutionary  war,  is  said  to  have  been  effected  by  political 
causes.  Mr.  Kendall  was  born  in  Woburn,  in  1707,  and 
graduated  at  Harvard  in  1731.  He  died  in  New  Salem,  Jan. 
31,  1792,  aged  85,  and  his  remains  lie  interred  in  the  Cen- 
tral burying  ground.  The  following  epitaph  is  inscribed  on 
his  tombstone,  viz.  : — 

"  Equal  in  dust  we  all  must  lie, 
And  no  distinction  we  can  make  ; 
But  faith  forbids  the  rising  sigh, 
And  sees  my  sleeping  dust  awake." 


276  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

2.*  Rev.  Joel  Foster  was  settled  as  the  second  pastor  of 
this  churchj  June  9,  1779,  and,  after  a  ministry  of  about 
twenty-two  years  and  a  half,  was  dismissed,  Jan.  21,  1802. 
Mr.  Foster  was  born  April  8,  1755  ;  and  it  is  supposed  his 
birth  place  was  Stafford,  Ct.,  and  that  he  early  removed  to 
Western,  (now  Warren) ;  graduated  at  Dartmouth  in  1777  ; 
and,  after  his  dismission  from  New  Salem,  was  installed  as 
pastor  in  East  Sudbury,  (now  Wayland,)  Sept.  7,  1803,  and 
his  brother,  Rev.  Dr.  John  Foster  of  Brighton,  preached  on 
the  occasion  ;  and  died  while  pastor  in  East  Sudbury,  Sept. 
24,  1812,  aged  57. 

The  following  obituary  notice  of  him,  from  the  pen  of 
Dr.  John  Foster,  was  published  in  a  Boston  paper  :  "  Mr. 
Foster  was  a  man  of  good  natural  abilities,  a  cultivated  mind, 
and  a  correct  taste.  As  a  scholar,  he  was  esteemed  ;  and  as 
a  friend  loved."  "  During  three  or  four  of  the  last  years  he 
was  frequently  taken  from  his  labors  by  sickness.  His 
disease  indicated  to  him  his  approaching  dissolution.  When 
the  hour  drew  near,  he  looked  into  the  future  world  with  a 
lively  hope,  and  in  the  full  possession  of  his  reason  gave 
his  surrounding  friends  the  most  comforting  evidence  that  he 
was  prepared  for  his  change,  and  that  for  him  to  die  would 
be  gain.  As  a  man  and  a  christian,  Mr.  Foster  was  much 
respected  by  those  who  knew  him  best.  As  a  preacher,  he 
was  sensible,  serious  and  practical  ;  as  a  son,  dutiful  ;  as  a 
husband,  kind  ;  as  a  father,  tender  ;  and  as  a  brother,  affec- 
tionate."' 

The  following  epitaph  is  inscribed  on  his  gravestone  : — 

"  Weep  not  for  me,  ye  mourning  friends ; 

But  think  how  near  the  day, 
Which  all  your  earthly  comforts  ends, 

And  bears  your  souls  away. 
By  timely  care  and  heavenly  art 

Improve  the  hours  you  have  ; 
That  you  may  act  the  wiser  part, 

And  live  beyond  the  grave." 


OF     NEW     SALEM.  277 

Mr.  Foster's  father's  name  was  Nathan  ;  he  had  brothers, 
whose  names  were  Jude,  John,  Daniel,  and  Asa  ;  he  married 
Priscilla,  the  youngest  daughter  of  Rev.  Isaac  Foster  of  Staf- 
ford, Ct.,  and  she  died,  Feb.  5,  1803,  aged  46.  She  had 
several  brothers,  viz.,  Isaac,  Daniel,  Emerson,  Dan  and  John, 
the  most  of  whom  were  preachers.  One  of  the  Rev.  Joel 
Foster's  daughters  married  Rev.  Ezekiel  L.  Bascom  ;  and 
the  only  surviving  member  of  his  family  is  Mr.  N.  Lanesford 
Foster  of  Philadelphia,  who  thus  speaks  of  his  father,  in  a 
letter  to  the  author,  viz.  :  "  Many  of  his  occasional  sermons 
were  published;  and,  in  1798,  was  published  'A  Literary 
Correspondence  '  between  him  and  Hosea  Ballon  of  Hard- 
wick,  a  preacher  of  the  sect  called  Universalists  ;  in  which 
the  question  concerning  future  punishment,  and  the  reasons 
for  and  against  it,  are  considered,  comprised  in  a  pamphlet 
of  68  pages.  He  had,  a  short  time  before  his  death,  pre- 
pared for  the  press,  and  issued  proposals  for  publishing,  a 
volume  of  sermons  strictly  occasional,  and  had  obtained 
several  hundred  subscribers  thereto.  But  the  summons  of 
death  frustrated  his  design." 

The  next  pastor  of  this  church  was  Rev.  Warren  Pierce. 
As  this  church  and.  its  ministry  now  became  Unitarian, 
a  further  notice  of  Mr.  Pierce  and  his  successors  may  be 
found  in  the  account  of  the  Unitarian  denomination  in  New 
Salem. 

The  two  ministers,  who  were  pastors  of  this  church 
during  the  time  it  continued  Orthodox,  were  both  dis- 
missed ;  are  both  dead  ;  and  the  average  length  of  their 
ministry  in  New  Salem  was  about  twenty-seven  years  and 
a  half. 

Second  Church.  The  second  Congregational  church  in 
New  Salem  was  organized  in  North  New  Salem,  Nov.  10, 
1824,  with  forty  members.  Its  first  and  only  Mceting-ltotise 
was  purchased  of  the  first  Congregational  society,  about 
1824,  and  in  1836  it  was  removed  to  its  present  location 
and  was  remodeled.     This  church  began  to  receive  mission- 


278  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS    • 

ary  aid  to  support  the  gospel  in  1825,  and  has  received 
$1,550.  During  two  years  it  united  with  the  Evangelical 
church  at  the  centre  of  the  town,  and  received  aid  in  con- 
nection with  that  church.  This  church,  of  late  years,  has 
almost  ceased  to  maintain  even  a  form  of  organization.  It 
has  had  no  settled  pastor  for  about  twelve  years,  and  no 
preaching  of  its  own  denomination  for  several  years,  and 
few  or  no  meetings,  no  ordinances  administered,  and  no 
deacons  for  sometime  past.  It  has  ceased  to  be  reported  in 
the  "Minutes  of  the  Massachusetts  General  Association." 
In  1852,  it  was  reported  in  the  "  Minutes,"  as  consisting  of 
19  members.  One  of  its  members  writes,  "  The  little  flock 
is  scattered."  Rev.  Mr.  Bullock,  a  Wesleyan  Methodist, 
preached  in  their  meeting-house  a  part  of  the  time  in  1853. 
In  the  twenty-nine  years  since  the  organization  of  this 
church,  it  has  had  settled  pastors  twelve  years,  and  has  been 
destitute  of  a  settled  ministry  seventeen  years.  This  church 
has  had  two  pastors. 

Pastors.  1.  Rev.  Levi  French  was  settled  as  the  first 
pastor  of  this  church,  July  6,  1825,  and  after  a  ministry  of 
about  four  years  was  dismissed,  Oct.  22,  1829.  Mr.  French 
was  born  in  Berkley,  Nov.  4,  1784 ;  never  graduated  at  any 
college,  but  received  the  honorary  degree  of  A.  M.  from 
Brown  University  in  1825;  studied  theology  with  Rev. 
Thomas  Andros  of  Berkley ;  after  leaving  New  Salem, 
preached  at  Dennis  a  short  time ;  then  had  charge  of  an 
academy  in  North  Carolina  for  many  years  until  184G;  then 
removed  to  Berkley  and  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits, 
where  he  still  remains. 

2.  Rev.  Erastus  Curtis  was  settled  as  the  second  pastor 
of  this  church,  Oct.  23,  1834,  and  after  a  ministry  of  about 
eight  years  ceased  to  officiate  as  a  pastor,  Aug.  1,  1842,  but 
was  never  dismissed  by  a  council.  Mr.  Curtis  was  born  in 
Meriden,  Ct.,  May  19,  1805  ;  graduated  at  Union  in  1829  ; 
studied  theology  at  New  Haven ;  was  licensed  by  the  New 
Haven  East  Association,  Ct.,  in  1831 ;  preached  in  the  West- 


OF     NEW     SALEM.  279 

eni  Reserve,  Ohio,  a  year  or  two  ;  in  Marlboro',  N.  H.,  one 
year ;  was  ordained  as  an  Evangelist  at  Winchester,  N.  H., 
Oct.  22,  1833,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Arnold  of  Alstead,  N.  H., 
preached  on  the  occasion.  At  Mr.  Cm'tis'  installation  at 
New  Salem,  Rev.  Sumner  G.  Clapp  preached  the  sermon. 
Mr.  Curtis  continued  to  live  in  New  Salem  till  1851,  and 
preached  some  at  Irvingsville  in  Orange,  and  since  then  has 
been  on  a  farm  in  Greenwich. 

Of  the  heo  f"pastors  of  this  church,  both  were  dismissed  ; 
both  are  now  farmers ;  and  the  average  length  of  their  min- 
istry in  New  Salem  was  about  six  years. 

Third  Church.  The  third  Congregational  church  in  this 
town  was  organized  at  the  centre  of  the  town,  Aug.  15,  1845, 
with  nine  members.  This  church  and  people  have  held  their 
meetings  in  the  academy  and  town-hall,  and  are  now  build- 
ing their  first  Meeting-house.  This  church  began  to  receive 
missionary  aid  to  support  the  gospel  in  1846,  and  has  re- 
ceived $725.  During  two  years  it  was  associated  with  the 
North  New  Salem  Church  in  receiving  charitable  aid.  The 
amount  contributed  by  this  people  to  the  cause  of  benevo- 
lence, in  1853,  was  |19.  The  number  of  members  in  the 
Sabbath  School,  in  1852,  was  50.  The  number  in  the 
church,  in  1853,  was  24.  In  the  eight  years  since  the  or- 
ganization of  this  church,  it  has  had  a  settled  pastor  five 
years,  and  been  destitute  of  a  settled  ministry  three  years. 
This  church  has  had  but  one  pastor. 

Pastor.  Rev.  William  H.  Hayward  was  settled  as  the 
first  pastor  of  this  church,  Aug.  13,  1848,  and  Rev.  Noadiah 
S.  Dickinson,  then  of  Wendell,  preached  on  the  occasion. 
Mr.  Hayward  is  now  in  the  sixth  year  of  his  ministry  at 
New  Salem.  He  was  born  in  Boston  in  1805 ;  never  grad- 
uated at  any  college ;  finished  the  theological  course  at  the 
Gilmanton  Seminary,  with  the  first  class  that  studied  at  the 
institution  in  1838 ;  was  licensed  by  the  Deerfield  Associa- 
tion, N.  H.,  in  1839;  was  settled  as  pastor  at  the  village  of 
Hebron  in  the  towns  of  Attleboro'  and  Seekonk,  Sept.  30, 


280  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

1840,  and  Rev.  S.  S.  Smith  preached  on  the  occasion  ;  was 
dismissed  from  there,  June  22,  1842 ;  then  supplied  in  Sa- 
lem, N.  H.,  from  1843  to  1847 ;  and  then  supplied  in  New 
Salem  till  installed  there. 

CONGREGATIONAL     MINISTERS     ORIGINATING     FROM     NEW     SALEM. 

1.  Rev.  Josiah  L.  Amies  was  born  in  New  Salem,  Jan. 
22,  1811 ;  at  sixteen  years  of  age  removed  to  Randolph  ; 
commenced  collegiate  studies  at  Amherst  College  in  1836, 
and  studied  at  Hamilton  College,  but  did  not  graduate  ; 
studied  theology  with  Rev.  M.  Blake  of  Mansfield ;  taught 
academies  in  South  Dennis,  Belchertown,  and  Mansfield ; 
was  licensed  by  the  Mendon  Association,  Aug.  12,  1845  ;  or- 
dained pastor  of  the  Manomet  Church,  Plymouth,  June  25, 
1846,  and  Rev.  M.  Blake  preached  the  sermon  ;  dismissed 
from  there,  July  31,  1850;  settled  as  pastor  in  Mason,  N. 
H.,  and  as  colleague  with  Rev.  Ebenezer  Hill,  Oct.  30,  1850. 
He  married  Miss  Marcia,  daughter  of  Mr.  Arza  Keith  of  N. 
Bridgewater,  and  has  five  children,  daughters.  He  still  re- 
mains a  pastor  in  Mason,  N.  H. 

2.  Rev.  Caleb  Clark  was  born  in  New  Salem,  Nov.  28, 
1790;  graduated  at  Middlebury  in  1814;  studied  theology 
with  Rev.  Dr.  Packard  of  Shelburne  ;  preached  in  various 
places  in  New  York  State  ;  was  settled  as  pastor  in  Trux- 
ton,  N.  Y.,  June  5,  1822,  and  Rev.  Dr.  John  Brown  preached 
the  sermon  on  the  occasion ;  was  dismissed  from  his  pastoral 
charge  in  that  place,  April  15,  1830 ;  since  then  he  iias  re- 
sided for  the  most  part  in  that  place,  and  preached  there  and 
in  other  neighboring  places,  as  his  health  would  allow.  He 
still  lives  there.     Mr.  Clark  has  no  family. 

3.  Rev.  John  Taylor  was  born  in  New  Salem,  Aug.  6, 
1781,  and  having  been  a  settled  pastor  in  Shutesbury,  a 
further  notice  of  him  may  be  found  in  the  account  of  the 
pastors  in  Shutesbury. 

Rev.  Robert  Crossett  was  born  in  that  part  of  New  Salem, 
which,  with  other  territory,  has  since  been  incorporated  as 


O  F     N  E  W     S  A  L  E  M  .  281 

Prescott,  in  the  county  of  Hampshire,  and  consequently  ho 
is  not  reckoned  as  a  son  of  Franklin  County. 

Of  the  three  Congregational  ministers  who  originated  from 
New  Salem,  all  were  natives  of  the  toAvn ;  two  were  gradu- 
ate ;  all  have  been  pastors ;  and  all  are  now  living. 

OTHER    DENOMINATIONS. 

Baptists.  A  Baptist  church  was  organized  in  this  place, 
Jan.  24,  1772,  and  was  called  the  "New  Salem  Baptist 
Church."  Since  then,  this  church  and  people  have  erected 
a  meeting-house  on  the  line  between  New  Salem  and  Pres- 
cott, where  they  now  worship,  and  the  church  is  now  called 
the  "  New  Salem  and  Prescott  Baptist  Church."  This 
people  have  been  supplied  by  the  following  preachers,  viz.  : 
Elders  Ebenezer  Smith,  Samuel  Bigelow  ordained  pastor, 
May  21,  1772 ;  Joel  Butler,  Josiah  Orcutt  ordained  pastor, 
Oct.  30,  1794 ;  Paul  Davis  ordained  pastor,  Sept.  3,  1805 ; 
Calvin  Orcutt  ordained  pastor,  Oct.  16,  1818  ;  Asa  Niles  be- 
came pastor  July  5,  1821 ;  Stephen  S.  Nelson,  Thomas 
Rand,  Mr.  Dwyer,  George  Daland  became  pastor,  February, 
1843 ;  John  Shepardson,  Alden  B.  Eggleston  became  pastor, 
April  8,  1849.  The  following  Baptist  ministers  originated 
from  New  Salem,  viz. :  Revs.  Tristam  Aldrich,  George  D. 
Felton,  N.  F.  Hunt,  and  Thomas  Rand,  Jr. 

Methodists.  The  Methodist  people  in  this  town  worship 
with  those  living  in  Prescott,  and  their  meeting-house  is 
within  the  borders  of  New  Salem.  The  church  was  formed 
in  1829.  The  following  preachers  have  supplied  them,  viz.  : 
Revs.  Henry  Woolley,  Ezra  Sprague,  Humphrey  Harris, 
Salmon  Hull,  Elias  P.  Stevens,  Ziba  Loveland,  Otis  Wilder, 
Philo  Hawks,  Philetus  Green,  Erastus  Otis,  Royal  Smith, 
Thomas  Marcy,  Samuel  Heath,  Merritt  P.  Alderman,  George 
W.  Green,  H.  B.  Collar,  Joseph  W.  Lewis,  Charles  Hay- 
wood, Thomas  G.  Brown,  Rufus  P.  Buffington,  Harrison 
Morgan,  R.  D.  Estabrook,  John  S.  Day,  William  A.  Clapp, 
Rodney  Gage,  Leonard  P.  Frost,  Proctor  Marsh,  Asa  Barnes, 
36 


Zb)C  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

J.  W.  p.  Jordan,  and  C.  N.  Merrifield  in  1853.  Two  Meth- 
odist preachers  originated  from  New  Salem,  viz..  Revs.  A. 
W.  Paige  and  Joseph  J.  Woodbury. 

Unitarians.  The  Unitarian  church  was  originally  Ortho- 
dox, and  was  organized  probably  about  1742.  In  the  fore- 
part of  the  present  century  it  passed  into  the  Unitarian  de- 
nomination. Rev.  Warren  Pierce  was  settled  as  pastor  over 
this  church,  Sept.  5,  1804,  and  was  dismissed,  Aug.  20, 
1807,  and  died  in  Boston,  May  10,  1822,  aged  46.  Rev. 
Alpheus  Harding  was  ordained  as  pastor  of  this  church,  Dec. 
2,  1807,  and  was  dismissed,  Jan.  8,  1845.  Rev.  Claudius 
Bradford  was  settled  as  pastor  over  this  church,  Nov.  9, 
1851.  Rev.  Warren  Pierce,  one  of  the  pastors  of  this 
church,  originated  from  New  Salem. 

Universalists.  Rev.  Nathaniel  Stacy,  and  Rev.  B.  F. 
Whitaker,  of  the  order  of  Restorationists,  originated  from 
New  Salem. 

Summary  of  preachers  originating  from  New  Salem :  Or- 
thodox Congregationalists,  3.  Baptists,  4.  Methodists,  2. 
Unitarians,  1.     Universalists,  2,     Total,  12. 

NORTHFIELD. 

"  This  town,  the  Indian  Squeakeag,  was  first  settled  in 
1673.  Perhaps  no  town  in  the  State  suffered  more  from 
Indian  depredations  than  this.  A  few  years  after  its  settle- 
ment the  town  was  laid  waste.  The  inhabitants  returned  in 
1685,  and  in  a  few  years  it  was  again  destroyed.  It  lay 
waste  many  years,  when  in  1713,  after  the  erection  of  Fort 
Dummer  in  its  vicinity,  the  inhabitants  returned  and  rebuilt 
the  town."  "  The  planters  built  small  huts  and  covered 
them  with  thatch  ;  made  a  place  for  public  worship ;  and 
built  a  stockade  and  fort."  "  One  elder  Jones  was  first  em- 
ployed to  preach  in  this  place,  soon  after  its  settlement." 
The  town  was  incorporated,  Feb.  22,  1714.  The  popula- 
tion of  the  place  in  1850  was   1772.     Five  churches  have 


OF     NORTHriELD.  283 

been  organized  in  this  town,  viz.,  two  Orthodox  Congre- 
gational, one  of  which  became  Unitarian,  one  orighially 
Unitarian,  one  Baptist,  and  one  Methodist.  The  chnrch 
which  was  originally  Unitarian  has  become  united  with  the 
other  Unitarian  church,  and  the  Baptist  church  has  been  dis- 
banded, and  only  three  churches  now  exist  in  Northfield. 

ORTHODOX    CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

First  Church.  The  first  Congregational  church  estab- 
lished in  the  place  was  of  the  Orthodox  character.  As  its 
records  previous  to  1750  are  lost,  the  exact  date  of  its  organi- 
zation cannot  with  certainty  be  ascertained.  There  is  some 
probability,  that  it  was  formed  about  the  time  of  the  settle- 
ment of  the  first  pastor ;  and  it  is  supposed  he  was  settled  in 
August,  1718.  This  church  became  Unitarian  about  a  half 
a  century  since.  It  cannot  be  ascertained,  when  this  church 
and  people  built  their  first  Meeting-house.  Their  last  house 
of  worship,  previous  to  the  one  they  now  occupy,  was  built 
probably  about  1763,  and  stood  70  years,  when  their  present 
house  was  erected.  Difficulties  existed  between  this  church 
and  its  first  pastor,  so  that  the  advice  of  the  Association  was 
sought,  and  it  was  recommended  to  them  to  call  a  council, 
if  the  disaftection  towards  the  pastor  was  not  healed  in  half 
a  year.  Difficulties  also  existed  between  the  church  and  its 
second  pastor,  and  a  council  was  called  to  settle  the  same, 
Nov.  17,  1779.  In  the  eighty-one  years  since  the  organiza- 
tion, probably,  of  this  church  till  the  settlement  of  the  first 
Unitarian  pastor  over  it,  Nov.  6,  1799,  the  church  had  a 
settled  ministry  about  seventy-six  years,  and  has  been  desti- 
tute of  the  same  about  five  years.  A  notice  of  the  pastors  of 
this  church  after  it  became  Unitarian,  may  be  found  in  the 
account  of  the  Unitarian  denomination  in  Northfield.  This 
church  while  Orthodox  had  three  pastors. 

Pastors.  1.*  Rev.  Benjamin  Doolittle  was  settled  as 
the  first  pastor  of  this  church  in  1718  ;  and  as  he  accepted 
the  proposals  of  the  people,  Aug.  12,  1718,  he  was  probably 


284  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

settled  soon  after  this  date.  According  to  Doolittle's  Sketches 
of  Belchertown,  Rev.  Mr.  Doolittle's  grandfather,  "  Abraham 
Doolittle,  supposed  to  be  the  progenitor  of  all  by  the  name 
of  Doolittle  in  this  country,  came  from  England  and  settled 
in  New  Haven,  Conn.,  about  the  year  1640,  or  1642.  In 
1644  he  took  the  oath  of  fidelity  in  the  Colony,  and  acted 
as  Executive  County  Officer  in  New  Haven.  He  was  one 
of  the  three  appointed  by  the  New  Haven  Committee  to 
superintend  the  affairs  of  the  New  Settlement.  This  '  New 
Settlement  '  was  afterwards,  in  1670,  incorporated  into  a 
town  by  the  name  of  Wallingford.  He  was  one  of  the  first 
settlers  in  that  town,  and  before  its  incorporation.  He  was 
one  of  the  village  Vigilance  Committee  in  the  time  of  King 
Philip's  war ;  his  house  was  protected  by  a  picket  fort 
against  attacks  by  the  Indians."  Rev.  B.  Doolittle  was  born 
in  Wallingford,  Conn.,  July  10,  1695  ;  graduated  at  Yale  in 
1716 ;  and  was  never  settled  except  in  Northfield.  In  con- 
nection with  his  ministerial  labors  he  practised  as  a  Physician ; 
and  as  a  medical  adviser  and  practitioner  his  field  of  service 
extended  from  Charlestown,  N.  H.,  to  Springfield. 

Mrs.  Lydia  Everett,  his  great-grand-daughter,  says  of  him  : 
"  He  had  the  care  of  a  French  officer,  who  was  wounded  in 
the  French  war  by  Capt.  Alexander,  and  after  taking  care  of 
him  for  three  or  four  months,  he  was  carried  to  Canada  and 
exchanged  for  the  prisoners  who  had  been  taken  from  us.  It 
was  said,  the  poor  officer  wandered  some  days  without  any 
food  except  cranberries  ;  he  then  came  and  gave  himself  up, 
much  weakened  by  fasting  and  loss  of  blood  ;  and  as  the  poor 
creature  appeared  in  sight  of  our  people's  dwellings,  they 
were  about  to  shoot  him,  but.  he  opened  his  bosom  and 
showed  his  wounds  and  bowed  himself  several  times,  and 
made  signs  of  distress,  and  they  spared  him." 

An  intelligent  correspondent,  who  was  formerly  a  resident 
in  Northfield,  says  of  Mr.  Doolittle  :  "  He  was  a  man  of  ami- 
able spirit,  and  of  good  intellect.  Several  of  the  church 
were  dissatisfied  with  him  on  account  of  his  being  Armin- 


OF     NORTH  FIELD.  285 

ian  in  doctrine.  Some  sold  their  possessions  and  left  town 
on  that  account,  particularly  Ebenezer  Mattoon  and  Mr. 
Holton.  Mr.  Doolittle  died,  Jan.  9,  1748,  aged  54,  and  in 
the  30th  year  of  his  ministry.  Mr.  Ashley  of  Deerfield 
preached  the  funeral  sermon — a  sermon  highly  judicious, 
and  Avell  adapted  to  the  occasion — rich  in  thought  and  dis- 
criminatingly orthodox.  Scarcely  anything  was  said  directly 
of  the  character  of  the  deceased,  except  that  'he  was  a 
tender  husband  and  an  affectionate  father.'  His  ministry  in 
Northfield  was  about  thirty  years.  He  died  in  that  place 
while  pastor  of  the  church."  The  following  epitaph  was  in- 
scribed on  his  gravestone  : — 

"Blessed  with  good  intellectual  parts, 
Well  skilled  in  two  important  arts, 
Nobly  he  filled  the  double  station 
Both  of  a  preacher  and  physician. 
To  cure  man's  sicknesses  and  sins, 
He  took  unwearied  care  and  pains ; 
And  strove  to  make  his  patient  whole 
Throughout,  in  body  and  in  soul. 
He  loved  his  God,  loved  to  do  good ; 
To  all  his  friends  vast  kindness  showed  ; 
Nor  could  his  enemies  exclaim, 
And  say,  he  was  not  kind  to  them. 
His  labors  met  a  sudden  close  ; 
Now  he  enjoys  a  sweet  repose  ; 
And  when  the  just  to  life  shall  rise. 
Among  the  first  he'll  mount  the  skies." 

2.*  Rev.  John  Hubbard  was  settled  as  the  second  pastor 
of  this  church.  May  30,  1750,  and  after  a  ministry  of  forty- 
four  years  and  a  half  died  while  pastor  in  Northfield,  Nov. 
28,  1794,  aged  68.  The  American  Quarterly  Register  says 
of  him :  "  Mr.  Hubbard  is  remembered  as  having  been  of 
truly  Orthodox  principles,  and  of  devoted  piety.  He  was  a 
son  of  Deacon  John  and  Mrs.  Anne  Hubbard,  Hatfield,  born 
Nov.  5,  1726,  married  Miss  Anna  Hunt,  daughter  of  Capt. 
Samuel  Hunt,  Northfield,  Dec.  26,  1753.     He  had  ten  chil- 


286  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

dren,  six  living  at  his  death.  His  parents  were  distinguished 
for  a  blameless,  holy  and  christian  life.  Rev.  Dr.  Joseph 
Lyman  preached  his  funeral  sermon,  Dec.  2,  1794.  A  very 
good  character  is  given  of  Mr.  H.  by  Dr.  Lyman."  Mr. 
Hubbard  graduated  at  Yale  in  1747.  Some  difficulties  arose 
between  Mr.  Hubbard  and  a  part  of  his  people,  during  the 
revolutionary  war,  from  their  difference  of  opinion  in  regard 
to  the  American  cause  and  the  British  cause.  A  council  of 
eight  churches  was  called  to  settle  it.  The  council  sat  from 
Nov.  17th  to  the  20th,  1779.  During  the  session  the  parties 
adopted  a  document  for  mutual  reconciliation.  The  council 
approved  it,  and  made  no  other  result.  The  difficulties 
were  healed. 

A  former  citizen  of  Northfield  thus  writes  respecting  Mr. 
Hubbard  :  "  Though  not  equal  to  his  predecessor  in  talents, 
he  had  in  an  eminent  degree  the  confidence  and  affections 
of  his  people.  His  ministry  was  one  of  almost  uninterrupted 
harmony,  if  we  except  the  excitement  consequent  on  his 
praying  for  the  success  of  the  '  King's  arms,'  in  the  early 
days  of  the  Revolution.  On  that  occasion,  the  assembly, 
with  Deacon  Smith  as  their  leader,  rose  against  him  on  the 
Sabbath  and  forbid  his  offering  the  public  prayers,  but  al- 
lowed him  to  preach.  An  ecclesiastical  council  was  called, 
and  the  matter  amicably  adjusted  by  Mr.  Hubbard's  consent- 
ing to  omit  the  obnoxious  petition.  As  a  preacher,  his  labors 
were  directed  more  to  the  promotion  of  christian  character 
than  to  producing  excitement,  consequently  the  church  were 
steady  and  uniform  in  their  feelings,  and  the  work  of  grace 
in  its  general  progress  was  of  a  similar  character.  He  often 
noticed  particular  events  of  Providence  by  an  appropriate 
sermon.  The  additions  to  the  church  during  his  ministry 
were  gradual  ;  seldom  more  than  two  or  three  at  a  time. 
There  was  one  occasion  of  special  interest.  A  prayer  meet- 
ing was  held  by  a  couple  of  young  lads  privately  in  a  barn, 
where  they  were  discovered  by  a  sister  of  one  of  them,  who 
repoited  it  to  her  parents,  and  they  informed  their  minister. 


OF     NORTHFIELD.  2S7 

He  immediately  instituted  prayer  or  conference  meetings, 
that  were  well  attended  for  a  time.  Six  or  eight  persons 
cherished  hope  during  this  time.  The  people  were  then 
much  in  the  habit  of  visiting  their  pastor  for  religious  in- 
struction. During  the  first  thirty-four  years  of  his  ministry 
about  ninety  persons  were  received  on  the  '  half-way  cove- 
nant,' which  gave  their  children  the  privilege  of  baptism. 
It  would  seem  that  this  course  began  to  be  regarded  as  in- 
consistent about  this  time,  for  there  is  no  record  of  any  such 
admissions  during  the  last  ten  years  of  his  ministry.  After- 
wards, during  the  mhiistry  of  Rev.  T.  Mason,  those  who 
had  joined  by  the  '  half-way  covenant,'  were  virtually  recog- 
nized as  members  of  the  church  in  full  communion,  by  a 
general  vote  of  the  church.  About  two  hundred  on  profes- 
sion, and  about  fifty  by  letter,  were  received  to  the  church 
during  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Hubbard.  Those  of  Arminian 
sentiments  who  united  with  the  church  under  Mr.  Hubbard, 
ever  spake  in  strong  terms  of  his  christian  character  and  his 
fervor  in  devotions.  On  sacramental  occasions  he  was  pe- 
culiarly solemn  and  impressive,  and  often  manifested  deep 
emotion  ;  he  was  particular  in  exhibiting  the  design  of  the 
sufi'erings  of  Christ,  as  the  only  ground  of  pardon  and  accep- 
tance with  God." 

The  Greenfield  Gazette,  of  December  25,  1794,  contains 
the  following  notice  of  him  :  "  In  whom  was  exemplified 
the  tender  and  fervent  husband,  the  kind  and  indulgent 
father  to  a  respected  family,  the  faithful,  godly  minister  of 
exemplary  life  and  conversation.  His  loss  is  deeply  lamented 
by  his  family,  church,  and  community.  His  remains  were 
interred  on  the  Tuesday  following,  [his  death,]  when  a  pa- 
thetic and  well  adapted  discourse  was  delivered  by  Rev. 
Mr.  Lyman  of  Hatfield,  from  1  Tim.  iv.  7,  8.  A  numerous 
assembly  expressed  a  sense  of  their  loss  by  their  sympathetic 
tears,  while  performing  the  last  office  of  respect  to  the  de- 
ceased." 

The  following  is  extracted  from  Dr.  Lyman's  published 


288  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

funeral  sermon  :  "  Mr.  Hubbard  was  descended  from  respect- 
able parents,  who  were  most  of  all  distinguished  for  a  blame- 
less, holy,  and  christian  life.  It  was  their  wise  care  to  give 
their  son  a  pious  education.  The  grace  of  God  cooperated 
with  their  endeavors,  and  their  hearts  were  made  glad  with 
his  early  improvements  in  virtue  and  religion.  The  happy 
consequences  of  their  discreet  care  were  experienced  by  their 
son,  and  have  extended  themselves  in  copious  benefits  to 
this  people,  and  to  the  church  of  God  all  around  us.  Such 
extensive  benefits  derived  from  the  faithfulness  of  parents 
in  educating  their  children  should  be  an  effectual  incentive 
to  all  to  teach  their  offspring  the  good  knowledge  and  fear 
of  the  Lord.  Mr.  Hubbard,  having  obtained  the  honors  and 
advantages  of  a  public  liberal  education,  devoted  himself  to 
the  cause  of  Christ  in  the  evangelical  ministry.  In  early  life 
he  was  called  to  settle  with  this  people  ;  he  accepted  their 
invitation,  and  took  charge  of  their  souls.  He  lived  in  the 
consciences  and  affections  of  his  people,  and  preached  to 
them  the  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God  with  much  acceptance. 
He  in  general  possessed  their  cordial  love  and  esteem.  In- 
deed a  momentary  estrangement  between  him  and  this  people 
took  place  in  the  time  of  our  public  trials.  But  that  estrange- 
ment was  not  natural ;  it  could  not  last  ;  upon  the  mediation 
of  their  common  friends  it  soon  vanished.  He  and  they 
returned  to  the  love  of  their  espousals.  For  many  suc- 
ceeding years  he  has  served  this  people  with  increasing 
affection  on  their  part,  and  growing  comfort  on  his.  I  need 
not  tell  you  how  firmly  he  was  in  sentiment  attached  to  the 
doctrines  of  grace,  those  peculiar  and  leading  doctrines  of 
the  gospel.  As  he  sincerely  believed  them,  so,  with  strict 
uniformity,  with  pious  contention  and  pathetic  zeal,  he 
preached  them  to  his  people.  He  loved  his  people  ;  he  loved 
his  work  ;  he  loved  his  Master.  By  the  uncorruptness  and 
purity  of  his  life,  he  exemplified  the  doctrines  which  he 
taught.  He  labored  after  that  ministerial  greatness  and  dig- 
nity which  consist  in  sound  doctrine  and  holy  living  ;   a 


OF     NORTH  FIELD.  289 

greatness  which  is  not  buried  in  the  grave,  but  goes  along 
with  us  into  heaven.  That  he  might  be  truly  great,  he 
labored  to  be  good.  After  a  long  and  painful  ministry,  in 
the  latter  years  of  which  he  patiently  encountered  heavy 
bodily  infirmities,  he  has  obtained,  in  his  closing  moments, 
the  hopes  and  consolations  which  flow  from  conscious  fidelity 
in  his  Master's  work.  Having,  as  we  trust,  been  faithful 
unto  death,  he  is  now  partaking  of  eternal  life."  The  fol- 
lowing epitaph  is  inscribed  on  his  gravestone  : — 

"  A  man  he  was  to  all  his  people  dear, 
And  passing  rich  with  eighty  pounds  a  year ; 
Remote  from  towns  he  held  his  godly  race, 
Nor  ever  changed  or  wished  to  change  his  place. 
In  duty  faithful,  prompt  at  every  call, 
He'watched,  and  wept,  and  prayed  for  all ; 
He  tried  each  art,  reproved  each  dull  delay. 
Allured  to  brighter  worlds  and  led  the  way." 

3.*  Rev.  Sabiuel  C.  Allen  was  settled  as  the  third  pastor 
of  this  church,  Nov.  25,  1795,  and  Rev.  Allen  Pratt  of  West- 
moreland, N.  H.,  preached  the  sermon  on  the  occasion. 
After  a  ministry  of  about  two  years  Mr.  Allen  was  dismissed, 
Jan.  30,  1798 ;  relinquished  the  ministry  and  became  a  law- 
yer. He  was  born  in  Bernardston,  Jan.  5,  1772 ;  graduated 
at  Dartmouth  in  1794  ;  practised  law  in  Greenfield  and 
Northfield  ;  held  various  civil  offices  ;  was  a  representative 
in  Congress  twelve  years  ;  and  died  in  Northfield,  Feb.  8^ 
1842,  aged  70.  The  American  Almanac,  for  1843,  says  of 
him  :  "  Mr.  Allen  was  a  man  of  active  habits  and  a  vigorous 
intellect,  and  his  opinions  had  great  weight  in  the  part  of 
the  country  to  which  he  belonged." 

At  the  time  of  Mr.  Allen's  ministry  in  Northfield,  the  Con- 
gregational denomination  had  not  been  divided  into  Ortho- 
dox and  Unitarians,  and  he  was  then  considered  Orthodox, 
though  he  afterwards  became  a  Unitarian.  A  correspondent, 
who  formerly  resided  in  Northfield,  says  of  Mr.  Allen  : 
"  During  his  ministry  in  Northfield  he  was  regarded  as  Cal- 
37 


290  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

vinistic,  and  had  the  confidence  of  the  church  and  people, 
and  gave  satisfaction  as  a  preacher."  He  hkewise  united 
with  the  Orthodox  Ministerial  Association,  Nov.  1,  1798. 
Mr.  Allen's  remains  were  buried  in  Bernardston,  over  which 
an  appropriate  monument  is  soon  to  be  erected. 

Of  the  three  pastors  of  this  church  previous  to  its  becoming 
Unitarian,  one  was  dismissed ;  all  are  dead ;  and  the  aver- 
age length  of  their  ministry  in  Northfield  was  about  twenty- 
five  years. 

Second  Church.  The  second  Congregational  church, 
and  the  only  Orthodox  Congregational  church  now  in  North- 
field,  was  organized,  Nov.  30,  1825,  with  thirty  members, 
the  most  of  whom  withdrew  from  the  Unitarian  church. 
This  people  for  several  years  occupied  a  school-house  as 
their  place  of  worship.  Their  first  Meeting-house  was  built 
in  1829  ;  and  it  was  remodeled  in  1849.  Several  revivals 
have  been  enjoyed  by  this  people.  One  in  1835,  and  seven 
were  added  to  the  church  ;  one  in  1841,  and  fifteen  added. 
This  church  began  to  receive  missionary  aid  to  support  the 
gospel  in  1828,  and  has  received  $1,915.  The  amount  con- 
tributed by  this  people  to  benevolent  objects  in  1853  was 
|2  60.  The  number  in  the  Sabbath  School  in  1852  was 
60.  The  church  in  1853  numbered  61.  In  the  twenty- 
eight  years  since  the  organization  of  this  church  it  has  had 
settled  pastors  about  sixteen  years,  and  has  been  destitute  of 
a  settled  ministry  about  twelve  years.  This  church  has  had 
five  pastors. 

Pastors.  1.  Rev.  Eli  Moody  was  settled  as  the  first  pas- 
tor of  this  church,  Nov.  22,  1826,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Woodbridge 
of  Hadley  preached  the  sermon  ;  and,  after  a  ministry  of 
about  four  years,  was  dismissed,  Dec.  24,  1830.  Mr.  Moody 
was  born  in  Granby,  April  12,  1789  ;  finished  a  six  years' 
course  of  study  in  preparing  for  the  ministry  with  Rev.  Mr. 
Perkins  of  East  Amherst  in  1818  ;  never  graduated  at  any 
college  ;  was  settled  as  pastor  at  Weybridge,  Vt.,  Aug.  12, 
1818,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Perkins  of  East  Amherst  preached  the 


OF     NORTH  FIELD.  291 

sermon  ;  and  was  dismissed  from  there,  Dec.  9.  1823  ; 
preached  at  South  Hadley  Falls  in  1824  and  1825  ;  after 
his  removal  from  Northfield  was  installed  pastor  in  West 
Granby,  Dec.  29,  1830,  and  dismissed  from  there,  Oct.  5, 
1836  ;  was  installed  in  East  Granby,  Oct.  5,  1836,  and  was 
dismissed  from  there,  April  29,  1840  ;  for  several  years  was 
prevented  by  ill  health  from  preaching  ;  in  1847  he  removed 
to  Montague,  and  has  since  then  preached  more  or  less  ;  in 
1852  began  to  supply  in  Burlington,  and  now  resides  in  that 
place.  Mr.  Moody  was  a  representative  in  the  Massachusetts 
Legislature  in  1840,  1841,  1843,  and  1844.  He  married  a 
grand-daughter  of  Rev.  Judah  Nash,  the  first  pastor  in  Mon- 
tague. 

2.  Rev.  Bancroft  Fowler  was  installed  as  the  second 
pastor  of  this  church,  April  21,  1831,  and  the  sermon  was  by 
Rev.  Dr.  Thomas  Snell  of  North  Brookfield,  and,  after  a 
ministry  of  about  five  years,  was  dismissed,  July  20,  1836. 
Mr.  Fowler  was  born  in  Pittsfield,  Sept.  12,  1775  ;  gradua- 
ted at  Yale  in  1796  ;  studied  law  two  years  and  a  half  at 
Northampton  ;  was  a  tutor  at  Williams  College  from  1799  to 
1801 ;  and  then  a  tutor  in  Yale  College  till  1804  ;  was  settled 
as  a  pastor  at  Windsor,  Yt.,  May  22,  1805,  and  Rev.  Dr. 
Burton  of  Thetford,  Yt.,  preached  the  sermon  ;  dismissed 
from  there  in  1819  ;  was  a  professor  of  Sacred  Literature  in 
Bangor  Seminary  from  1819  to  1825  ;  then  resided  in  Pitts- 
field  ;  in  1828  took  charge  of  the  Female  Seminary  at  West 
Brookfield,  and  resided  there  till  1831  ;  after  leaving  North- 
field  took  charge  of  the  Academy  at  Bernardston,  and  was 
installed  as  pastor  there,  Dec.  21,  1836,  and  the  sermon  was 
by  Rev.  Mr.  Hatch  of  Warwick  ;  was  dismissed  from  there, 
Dec.  31,  1838  ;  settled  as  pastor  in  Greenfield,  N.  H.,  Nov. 
20,  1839,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Dr.  Robinson  of 
Stoddard,  N.  H.  ;  was  dismissed  from  there,  April  22,  1845 ; 
and  for  several  years  past  has  resided  in  Stockbridge.  Mr. 
Fowler  buried  his  first  wife  at  Bernardston,  and  his  second 
wife  at  Greenfield,  N.  H. 


293  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

3.  Rev.  Horatio  J.  Lombard  was  installed  as  the  third 
pastor  of  this  church,  July  20,  1836,  and  the  sermon  was  by 
Rev.  Dr.  Walker,  then  of  Brattleboro',  Vt.  :  and  after  a  min- 
istry of  about  four  years  was  dismissed,  Oct.  21,  1840.  Mr. 
Lombard  was  born  in  Stockbridge,  May  8,  1792  ;  graduated 
at  Williams  in  1815  ;  studied  theology  with  Rev.  Dr.  Os- 
good of  Springfield  ;  ordained  as  pastor  in  Owego,  Tioga 
County,  N.  Y.,  Oct.  28,  1818,  and  Rev.  B.  B.  Stockton 
preached  the  sermon  ;  was  dismissed  from  there  in  July, 
1827  ;  settled  as  pastor  in  Manlius,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  12,  1828, 
and  dismissed  in  1830  ;  installed  pastor  at  Feeding  Hills,  in 
West  SpringiEield,  Jan.  8,  1834,  and  dismissed  from  there  in 
1836  ;  since  leaving  Northfield  has  been  in  Springfield,  and 
is  now  chaplain  of  the  house  of  correction  there. 

4.  Rev.  Nathaniel  Richardson  was  settled  as  the  fourth 
pastor  of  this  church,  Oct.  21,  1840,  and  Rev.  R.  M.  Chip- 
man,  then  of  Athol,  preached  the  sermon  ;  and,  after  a 
ministry  of  about  two  years,  was  dismissed,  Nov.  20,  1842. 
Mr.  Richardson  was  born  in  Rockport,  Dec.  3,  1806  ;  grad- 
uated at  Amherst  in  1836  ;  studied  theology  at  New  Haven  ; 
ordained  at  Terrysville,  a  parish  in  Plymouth,  Ct.,  Aug.  8, 
1838,  and  was  dismissed  from  there  in  about  two  years  ; 
since  leaving  Northfield  has  preached  as  stated  supply  about 
four  years  in  Burlington  ;  has  also  been  a  stated  supply  in 
Berkley,  and  is  now  preaching  in  East  Taunton. 

5.  Rev.  Luther  Farnham  was  settled  as  the  fifth  pastor 
of  this  church,  Nov.  20,  1844,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Gerould,  then 
of  Hinsdale,  N.  H.,  preached  the  sermon  ;  and,  after  a  min- 
istry of  about  five  months,  was  dismissed,  April  9,  1845. 
Mr.  Farnham  was  born  in  Concord,  N.  H.,  in  1816;  gradu- 
ated at  Dartmouth  in  1837 ;  finished  the  theological  course 
at  Andover  in  1841  ;  after  leaving  Northfield  was  employed 
some  time  in  connection  with  the  Puritan  Recorder  ;  was  a 
stated  supply  for  a  time  at  Marshfield  ;  and  has  resided  since 
then  chiefly  in  Boston. 

After  the  dismission  of  Mr.  Farnham,  Rev.  Willard  Jones, 


OF     NORTHFIELD.  293 

a  returned  missionary,  preached  as  stated  supply  till  1850  ; 
then  Rev.  Eli  Moody  supplied  about  a  year ;  since  then  the 
church  has  been  supplied  by  Rev.  Daniel  C.  Frost,  Rev. 
Junius  L.  Hatch,  Mr.  George  E.  Bruce,  and  Rev.  Peter  H. 
Shaw.  Mr.  Shaw  is  now  supplying  this  church.  Of  the 
jive  pastors  of  this  church,  all  were  dismissed,  all  are  living  ; 
and  the  average  length  of  their  ministry  in  Northfield  was 
about  three  years. 

CONGREGATIONAL     PREACHERS    ORIGINATING  FROM    NORTHFIELD. 

1.*  Rev.  Caleb  Alexander  was  born  in  Northfield,  July 
22,  1755  ;  graduated  at  Yale  in  1777  ;  studied  theology 
with  Rev.  Ephraim  Judson  of  Taunton  ;  was  ordained  as 
pastor  at  New  Marlboro',  Feb.  28,  1781 ;  dismissed  from 
there,  June  28,  1782 ;  installed  as  pastor  at  Mendon,  April 
12,  1786  ;  in  1801  was  appointed  by  the  Mass.  Missionary 
Society  to  visit  the  churches  and  Indians  in  Western  New 
York,  and  on  his  return  Avas  dismissed  from  Mendon,  Dec. 
7,  1802;  about  1803  removed  to  Fairfield,  Herkimer  Co., 
N.  Y.,  and  took  charge  of  a  new  academy  in  the  place, 
which  became  a  flourishing  institution  under  his  guidance 
and  instruction;  in  1812  removed  to  Onondaga,  N.  Y.,  and 
took  charge  of  an  academy  there  ;  while  instructor  in  these 
academies  often  preached  in  the  neighboring  places,  and 
aided  in  organizing  many  churches ;  expended  much  time 
and  made  great  exertions  for  the  establishment  of  the  Auburn 
Theological  Seminary.  He  published  an  Essay  on  the 
Deity  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  with  Strictures  on  Emlyn  an 
English  writer,  in  1791 ;  a  translation  of  Virgil ;  Latin, 
Greek  and  English  Grammars,  and  several  occasional  ser- 
mons. He  died  at  Onondaga,  N.  Y.,  April  12,  1828,  aged 
72.  Rev.  Washington  Thacher  preached  his  funeral  ser- 
mon, an  extract  from  which  was  published  in  the  Western 
Recorder  at  Utica,  N.  Y.,  of  April  29,  1828. 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  an  obituary  account  of 
him,  published  in  the  Onondaga  Register  for  April  16,  1828  : 


294  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

"  Rev.  Mr.  Alexander  graduated  at  New  Haven  College 
fifty-one  years  since  ;  and  after  obtaining  a  theological  edu- 
cation, and  being  for  a  few  years  pastor  of  a  church,  he 
chose  for  his  future  life  the  equally  laborious  employment 
of  a  teacher.  For  this  employment  he  was  admirably  fitted. 
Being  himself  an  excellent  scholar  he  excelled  in  this  de- 
partment of  usefulness,  and  may  be  considered  as  the 
founder  of  several  important  literary  institutions.  Many  of 
the  distinguished  men  in  each  of  the  professions  in  this 
State  have  been  brought  up  under  his  instructions.  His 
literary  labors,  considering  the  nature  of  his  official  duties, 
have  been  astonishing.  As  the  correspondent  of  scientific 
and  religious  periodicals,  and  as  the  author  of  several  sys- 
tems of  education,  translations  and  essays  on  various  sub- 
jects, he  has  long  been  well  known  to  the  world.  But  this 
is  not  all.  As  a  steward  of  the  mysteries  of  the  gospel,  he 
was  a  scribe  well  instructed.  Clear  and  distinguishing  in 
his  views  of  divine  truth,  he  manifested  to  all  that,  amid  his 
complicated  labors,  the  Bible  had  never  been  neglected  ;  and 
we  have  seldom  seen  a  man  so  familiar  with  its  doctrines, 
and  so  capable  of  making  the  scripture  the  interpreter  of 
itself.  The  last  years  of  his  life,  after  having  retired  from 
its  active  duties,  were  devoted  to  the  Bible ;  and  the  treas- 
ures of  divine  knowledge  he  had  gathered  from  it  were  truly 
wonderful."  The  following  epitaph  is  inscribed  on  his 
gravestone :  "  His  industry  and  zeal  in  the  cause  of  litera- 
ture and  religion  were  untiring  and  benevolent."  "Precious 
in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  is  the  death  of  his  saints." 

Mr.  Alexander  married  Miss  Lucina  Strong,  daughter  of 
Rev.  Thomas  Strong,  his  predecessor  at  New  Marlboro'. 
She  died  at  Onondaga,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  24,  1847,  aged  91.  By 
her  he  had  seven  children.  His  daughter,  Laura,  was  mar- 
ried to  Rev.  Dr.  D.  C.  Lansing  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  and  is 
deceased.  Blake's  History  of  Mendon  Association  gives  an 
account  of  Mr.  Alexander,  from  which  some  of  the  fore- 
going facts  are  obtained.     The  American  (Quarterly  Register 


OF     NORTHFIELD.  295 

calls  him  "a  man  of  talents  and  a  good  classical  scholar." 
His  English  Grammar  was  formerly  used  to  a  considerable 
extent  in  the  primary  schools  in  New  England.  His  son, 
William  H.  Alexander,  is  now  living  in  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

2.*  Rev.  Joseph  R.  Field  was  born  in  Sullivan,  N.  H., 
about  1795 ;  in  childhood  he  removed  to  Northfield  ;  learned 
the  trade  of  a  blacksmith ;  resided  for  a  time  in  Keene, 
N.  H.,  and  united  with  the  church  in  that  place ;  afterwards 
made  Northfield  his  home  ;  graduated  at  Dartmouth  in 
1822;  was  ordained  as  an  Evangelist  at  Parishville,  St. 
Lawrence  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  7,  1827,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Hoyt  of 
Potsdam,  N.  Y.,  preached  the  serijion ;  preached  some  at 
Meriden,  N.  H.,  Dummerston,  Vt.,  Northfield,  Winchester, 
N.  H.,  Milton,  N.  Y.,  Norfolk,  N.  Y.,  Peterboro',  N.  H.,  and 
Montague.  Mr.  Field  was  never  a  settled  pastor.  He  died 
in  Northfield,  Aug  9,  1828,  aged  33.  The  following  epitaph 
is  on  his  gravestone  :  "  Unassuming  in  manners  ;  in  morals 
irreproachable  ;  as  a  scholar  successful  ;  mighty  in  the 
scriptures ;  with  argument  invincible  he  maintained  and  de- 
fended the  great  doctrines  of  the  Reformation."  He  was  a 
cousin  of  Rev.  Lucius  Field  of  Northfield ;  and  has  a 
brother.  Rev.  Elijah  H.  Field,  who  is  a  Methodist  minister 
in  Ohio. 

3.=*  Rev.  Lucius  Field  was  born  in  Northfield,  Aug.  21, 
1796  ;  graduated  at  Williams  in  1821 ;  was  a  tutor  in  Am- 
herst College  in  1822 ;  finished  the  theological  course  at 
Andover  in  1825;  was  settled  as  pastor  at  Tyringham, 
March  27,  1833,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Dr.  Hyde  of 
Lee.  After  leaving  Tyringham  he  supplied  in  various 
places,  and  received  calls  to  settle  from  Bennington,  Vt., 
Colebrook,  Ct.,  and  Ashby.  He  was  licensed  by  the  Andover 
Association,  July  5,  1825;  and  was  ordained  as  an  Evange- 
list by  the  Sullivan  Association,  N.  H.,  Jan.  18,  1832.  Mr. 
Field  was  never  married.  He  died  in  Northfield,  June  1, 
1839,  aged  42.  The  following  epitaph  is  inscribed  on  his 
gravestone  :  "  In  doctrine  evangelical ;    chaste  and  original 


296  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

in  style  ;  sincere  and  devotional ;  fervent  in  spirit ;  he  loved 
and  magnified  his  office." 

4.  Rev.  Thomas  P.  Field  was  born  in  Northfield,  Jan. 
12,  1814;  removed  from  there  when  about  three  years  old  ; 
ten  years  of  his  early  life  were  spent  in  North  Carolina ;  and 
then  lived  again  in  Northfield ;  he  afterwards  resided  in 
Boston  ;  graduated  at  Amherst  in  1834 ;  was  a  tutor  in  that 
college  from  1837  to  1839 ;  finished  the  theological  course 
at  Andover  in  1840 ;  was  licensed  by  the  Andover  Associa- 
tion ;  was  ordained  as  pastor  of  the  second  Congregational 
church  in  Danvers,  in  October,  1840,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Bela  B. 
Edwards  preached  the  sermon;  was  dismissed  from  there  in 
October,  1850 ;  was  installed  as  pastor  of  the  second  Pres- 
byterian church  in  Troy,  N.  Y.,  in  November,  1850,  where 
he  still  remains ;  Rev.  Dr.  George  B,  Cheever  preached  his 
installation  sermon.  He  has  a  brother,  Rev.  Justin  Field, 
Jr.,  who  is  a  minister  in  the  Episcopal  church.  Mr.  Field 
was  appointed  in  1853  to  the  professorship  of  rhetoric  and 
oratory  in  Amherst  College. 

5.  Rev.  Frederic  Janes  was  born  in  Northfield,  May  6, 
1808,  and  having  been  settled  as  a  pastor  in  Bernardston,  a 
further  notice  of  him.  may  be  found  in  the  account  given  of 
the  pastors  of  the  second  Congregational  church  in  that 
place. 

Of  the  five  Congregational  ministers  who  originated  from 
Northfield,  four  were  graduates ;  all  were  ordained ;  four 
were  pastors  of  churches  ;  one  was  somewhat  distinguished 
as  a  teacher  and  an  author ;  two  are  nov/  living. 

OTHER    DENOMINATIONS. 

Baptists.  "  A  branch  of  the  Baptist  church  of  Leverett 
and  Montague,"  says  the  Historical  Discourse  of  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Andrews,  delivered  at  North  Leverett,  Aug.  18,  1847, 
"  was  constituted  at  Northfield  Farms  in  1829.  This  branch 
was  disbanded  and  the  names  returned  to  the  original 
church  in  1846." 


OF     NORTHFIELD.  297 

Episcopalians.  Rev.  Justin  Field,  Jr.,  an  Episcopal  min- 
ister, originated  from  Northfield. 

Methodists.  The  Methodist  church  in  Northfield  was 
organized  in  1810,  and  seceded  from  the  Episcopal  Metho- 
dist denomination  in  1844.  Among  the  preachers,  who  have 
supplied  this  church,  are  the  following,  viz. :  Revs.  Hum- 
phrey Harris,  Salmon  Hull,  Elias  P.  Stevens,  Otis  Wilder, 
Zadoc  King,  George  Green,  Hezekiah  B.  Collar,  Simon  E.- 
Fisk,  Leonard  Frost.  Since  the  secession  in  1844  no 
preachers  have  been  regularly  sent  to  this  church.  Revs. 
H.  B.  Collar  and  H.  Smith  supplied  them  in  1853.  The 
following  Methodist  preachers  have  originated  from  North- 
field,  viz.  :  Revs.  J.  D.  Bridge,  H.  M.  Bridge,  P.  W.  Bridge, 
H.  B.  Collar  and  Elijah  H.  Field. 

Unitarians.  The  present  Unitarian  church  in  Northfield 
was  originally  Orthodox,  and  became  Unitarian  about  half  a 
century  ago.  The  following  Unitarian  pastors  have  been 
settled  over  it,  viz. :  Rev.  Thomas  Mason  was  ordained  Nov. 
6,  1799,  and  was  dismissed  Feb.  28,  1830,  and  died  in  North- 
field,  Jan.  3,  1851,  aged  82.  Rev.  George  W.  Hosmcr  was 
ordained  June  9,  1830,  and  was  dismissed  in  1836.  Rev. 
Oliver  C.  Everett  was  settled  as  pastor  March  8.  1837,  and 
remained  about  twelve  years.  Rev.  William  C.  Tenney,  the 
present  pastor,  was  settled  as  pastor,  Sept.  9,  1849.  About 
1828  a  disaffected  party  withdrew  from  the  Unitarian 
church,  and  formed  a  second  Unitarian  church  of  fifty-six 
members.  When  Mr.  Mason  was  dismissed  in  1830,  they 
returned  and  united  with  the  first  Unitarian  church.  Rev. 
Samuel  Presbury  was  ordained  the  pastor  of  the  second 
Unitarian  church,  Feb.  27,  1828,  and  was  dismissed  Sept. 
21,  1829. 

Summary  of  preachers  originating  from  Northfield :  Congre- 
gationalists,  5.     Episcopalians,  1.    Methodists,  5.    Total,  11. 
38 


298  CHURCHES      AND     MINISTERS 


ORANGE. 

This  town  was  formerly  included  in  Warwick,  and  was 
called  South  Warwick,  till  its  incorporation,  Oct.  15,  1783. 
Its  population,  in  1850,  was  1,700.  Seven  churches  have 
been  organized  in  Orange,  and  two  Universalist  societies. 
Four  of  the  churches  were  Orthodox  Congregational  churches 
at  their  formation  ;  one  of  them  became  Unitarian  within  half 
a  century  past.  One  is  a  Baptist  church,  and  two  are  Meth- 
odist churches. 

ORTHODOX    CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

First  Church.  The  first  Congregational  church  in  Or- 
ange was  organized  in  the  fall  of  1782,  consisting  of  eighteen 
male  and  thirteen  female  members.  The  organization  took 
place  in  what  was  then  South  Warwick,  but  which  has  since 
been  incorporated  as  the  town  of  Orange.  The  original 
members  were  persons  dismissed  from  the  churches  in  War- 
wick, Royalston,  and  Athol,  for  this  purpose.  The  follow- 
ing ministers  were  on  the  council  for  the  formation  of  this 
church,  viz. :  Revs.  Edward  Goddard  from  Swanzey,  N.  H.  ; 
Joseph  Lee  from  Royalston,  and  Samuel  Reed  from  War- 
wick. This  church  was  Orthodox  till  within  a  half  century 
past.  The  following  is  from  the  covenant  adopted  by  the 
church  at  its  formation,  viz.  : — "  We  give  ourselves  to  the 
Lord  Jehovah,  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost ;  and  avouch 
him,  this  day,  to  be  our  God  and  Saviour  and  Leader,  and 
receive  him  as  our  portion  forever.  We  give  ourselves  to 
the  blessed  Jesus,  who  is  the  Lord  Jehovah,  and  adhere  to 
him  as  the  only  leader  of  his  people  in  the  covenant  of 
grace."  The  first  Meeting-house  built  by  this  people  was 
dedicated  March  31,  1782,  and  was  remodeled  in  1832. 
This  church  had  but  one  pastor  before  it  became  Unitarian, 
and  his  ministry  continued  about  eight  years ;  and  in  the 
forty  years  from  the  formation  of  this  church  till  the  settle- 


OF     ORANGE.  299 

ment  of  its  first  Unitarian  pastor  in  1822,  it  was  destitute  of 
a  settled  ministry  about  thirty-two  years. 

Pastor.  *  Rev.  Emerson  Foster  was  installed  as  the 
first  pastor  of  this  church,  Dec.  12,  1782,  and  after  a  minis- 
try of  about  eight  years,  was  dismissed  in  1790.  The  exact 
date  of  his  dismission  is  not  known.  As  the  parish  records 
contain  a  vote  passed  by  the  parish,  May  13,  1790,  to  concur 
,with  the  church  in  calling  a  council  to  dismiss  Mr.  Foster, 
his  dismission  took  place,  probably,  soon  afterwards.  At 
his  installation  seven  churches  were  represented  in  the  coun- 
cil by  seven  pastors  and  twelve  delegates.  No  sermon  was 
preached.  The  charge  to  the  pastor  was  given  by  the  pas- 
tor's father.  Rev.  Isaac  Foster  of  West  Stafford,.Ct.  Various 
charges  were  brought  against  Mr.  Foster  before  the  council 
that  dismissed  him.  Tradition  says,  that  these  charges  re- 
lated to  heresy,  intemperance,  and  light,  vain  conduct.  The 
council,  however,  did  not  depose  him  from  the  ministry. 
Mr.  Foster  was  a  son  of  Rev.  Isaac  Foster  of  West  Stafford, 
Ct.,  and  was  born  in  that  place,  probably  about  1747 :  grad- 
uated at  Dartmouth  in  1773  ;  was  settled  as  a  pastor  in  Kil- 
lingly,  (now  North  Killingly,)  Ct.,  Jan.  22,  1778,  and  the 
sermon  and  charge  to  the  pastor  were  delivered  by  his  father, 
and  were  published.  "An  unhappy  state  of  things  existed 
before  and  after  his  ordination,  so  that  his  continuance  here 
in  the  ministry  was  short,  being  about  one  year  and  six 
months.  He  was  dismissed,  July  27,  1779."  He  preached 
for  a  time  in  New  London,  Ct.,  and  was  there  when  the 
place  was  burnt  by  the  British,  Sept.  6,  1781 ;  in  the  fore 
part  of  1782,  he  was  preaching  in  Orange.  "  On  leaving  Or- 
ange in  1790,  he  had  an  invitation  to  preach  at  Barnstable, 
and  was  on  his  way  there,  when  he  was  taken  sick,  and  did 
not  preach  for  a  year.  He  afterwards  preached  at  Claren- 
don, Vt.,  and  at  Pomfret,  Vt.,  but  probably  was  not  installed 
at  either  place.  Not  far  from  the  year  1800,  he  went  to 
Orient,  L.  I.,  (then  known  as  'Oyster  Ponds,')  where  he 
continued  as  pastor  for  about  five  years,  when  his  health 


300  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

failed;  and  relinquishing  his  charge,  he  came  to  Brooklyn,  N. 
Y.,  and  resided  with  his  daughter,  his  wife  having  died  sud- 
denly at  Orient,  a  little  previous.  After  five  or  six  years  he 
regained  his  health  in  some  little  measure  and  preached  for 
about  a  year  on  the  east  side  of  Long  Island.  But  his  health 
again  failed,  and  he  returned  to  Brooklyn,  and  died  there  after 
a  lingering  illness,  in  the  year  1814.  There  was  no  sermon 
preached  at  his  funeral.  An  address  was  made  at  the  house^ 
by  some  minister  not  now  recollected,  and  an  address  at  the 
grave  by  his  brother,  John  Foster,  who  had  relinquished  the 
ministry,  and  was  engaged  in  a  school  in  New  York  City. 
No  obituary  was  published,  and  no  stone  placed  at  the  grave. 
The  burying-ground  where  he  lies,  is  adjoining  the  Sands 
Street  Methodist  Church,  and  the  present  church  edifice 
covers  the  grave."  The  foregoing  quoted  account  was  given 
by  Mrs.  Margaret  Moore,  a  daughter  of  Mr.  Foster,  at  her 
residence  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  in  September,  1853. 

"  When  the  church  and  society  in  Killingly,  Ct.,  gave  Mr. 
Foster  a  call,  about  one  third  part  of  the  whole  dissented. 
But  afterwards,  when  they  repeated  the  call  with  greater 
unanimity,  Mr.  Foster  accepted."  Mr.  Foster,  in  his  com- 
munications to  the  church,  objected  to  the  practice  of  having 
candidates  for  admission  to  the  church  relate  their  experi- 
ence, and  objected  to  the  rule  of  the  church  by  which  the 
pastor's  vote  be  reckoned  as  only  equal  to  the  vote  of  any 
private  member.  The  church  then  "  voted  to  reconsider  the 
vote  that  had  passed  respecting  an  equality  in  the  votes  of 
the  pastor  and  a  private  brother ;  and  further  voted,  that  to 
prevent  a  difficulty  in  time  to  come,  should  it  ever  so  happen 
that  Mr.  Foster  should  differ  in  judgment  from  the  majority 
of  the  church,  that  then  both  parties  oblige  themselves  to 
agree  mutually  in  calling  a  council  to  hear,  judge,  and  de- 
termine the  matter;  and  that  this  be  our  rule  of  conduct." 
The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  result  of  the  council 
that  ordained  Mr.  Foster  at  Killingly,  Ct.,  viz. : — "A  remon- 
strance was  then  laid  in  before  the  council  by  Dea.  Eben- 


OF     ORANGE . 


301 


ezer  Learned  and  a  number  of  others,  members  of  this  soci- 
ety, representing  the  indigent  and  divided  circumstances  of 
the  society,  and  their  dislike  of  Mr.  Foster's  sentiments  and 
doctrines  in  some  particulars.  And  a  number  of  witnesses 
were  brought  in  support  of  the  facts  set  forth  in  said  remon- 
strance. The  council  having  heard  and  maturely  considered 
the  case,  and  carefully  examined  Mr.  Foster,  as  is  usual  in 
such  cases,  and  very  particularly  with  regard  to  his  senti- 
ments objecled  to  in  said  remonstrance,  are  of  opinion,  all 
things  considered,  that  it  is  our  duty  to  proceed  to  the  ordi- 
nation of  Mr.  Foster." 

Prime's  History  of  Long  Island  says  :  "  The  Rev.  Emer- 
son Foster  is  recollected  as  the  pastor  of  this  church,  (Ori- 
ent, L.  L,)  at  the  commencement  of  this  century,  but  when 
he  Avas  settled  is  not  known.  About  the  year  1804  or  '5, 
his  health  failed,  and  he  relinquished  his  charge."  As  the 
records  of  this  church  were  burnt  some  thirty  years  since,  it 
cannot  be  ascertained,  whether  Mr.  Foster  was  settled  as  a 
pastor,  or  preached  as  a  stated  supply  at  Orient.  It  appears 
by  the  representations  given  by  the  aged  people  in  Orient, 
who  remember  Mr.  Foster,  "  that  he  was  a  learned  man,  of 
good  morals,  sedate  and  grave  in  appearance,  wore  a  three- 
cornered  hat,  and  could  preach  pretty  good  sermons — was, 
however,  feeble  in  body  and  took  opium  continually  for  his 
stomach's  sake  and  often  infirmities — that  he  could  not 
preach  without  the  aid  of  opium — that  once,  when  he  was 
out  of  opium,  he  was  expected  to  preach,  but  refused  because 
of  his  inability  to  do  so  without  some  opium  first — that  En- 
sign Tuthill  got  on  to  his  horse  and  rode  over  the  village, 
till  he  found  some  and  brought  it  to  Mr.  Foster ;  after  taking 
which  he  preached  one  of  his  smartest  sermons — that  his  or- 
thodoxy was  doubted  by  some — that  he  was  thought  to  have 
preached  from  the  head  and  not  from  the  heart — that  he  was 
so  feeble  as  to  supply  the  pulpit  but  little  during  the  latter 
part  of  his  ministry,  and  as  it  cost  the  parish  so  much  to- 
supply  him  with  opium,  they  were  all  glad  to  be  released 


302  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

from  him — that  not  long  after  his  labors  as  preacher  ceased, 
his  wife  died  here  and  was  buried  in  the  new  burying- 
ground  ;  and  that  shortly  after  her  death,  his  daughter,  living 
in  Brooklyn,  came  down  here  and  took  him  home  with  her, 
and  that  she  broke  him  off  from  the  habit  of  using  opium — 
that  two  years  after  he  went  to  Brooklyn  he  was  converted, 
and  was  heard  to  say,  that  he  knew  not  what  grace  was  till 
then,"  Mr.  Foster,  at  his  death,  was  supposed  to  be  about  67 
years  old. 

Mr.  Foster  had  three  brothers  who  were  ministers,  viz.. 
Revs.  John  Foster,  settled  at  Taunton ;  Dan  Foster,  settled 
at  Charlestown,  N.  H. ;  and  Isaac  Foster,  a  graduate  of  Yale  in 
1776.  He  had  three  cousins  who  were  ministers,  viz.,  Rev. 
Dr.  John  Foster  of  Brighton,  Rev.  Joel  Foster  of  New  Sa- 
lem, and  Rev.  Daniel  Foster  of  New  Braintree,  sons  of  Mr. 
Nathan  Foster  of  Western,  (now  Warren.)  Mr.  Emerson 
Foster's  sister  married  Rev.  Joel  Foster  of  New  Salem.  Mr. 
Foster  was  married,  Nov.  11,  1778,  to  Miss  Margaret  Parsons 
Foote,  a  daughter  of  Esquire  Foote  of  Colchester,  Ct.,  by 
whom  he  had  three  sons  and  three  dfiughters,  only  one  of 
whom,  Mrs.  Margaret  Moore  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  survives. 

When  the  pastor  next  after  Mr.  Foster  was  settled  over 
the  church  in  Orange,  in  1822,  the  church  had  become  Unita- 
rian ;  and  the  further  notice  of  its  pastors  may  be  found  in 
the  account  of  the  Unitarian  pastors  in  Orange. 

Second  Church.  The  second  Congregational  church  or- 
ganized in  Orange,  was  formed  in  that  part  of  the  town 
called  Irvingsville,  Oct.  13,  1837,  with  twenty-one  members. 
Its  first  and  only  Meeting-hoiise  was  built  in  1836.  Mission- 
ary aid  has  been  bestowed  upon  the  people  in  this  place  and 
in  Erving  for  the  support  of  the  gospel,  to  the  amount  of 
$2,032 ;  the  principal  portion  of  which,  however,  was 
granted  to  the  people  in  Erving.  For  some  years  the  two 
places  were  reckoned  as  one  missionary  field.  This  church 
has  ever  been  small  and  feeble.  This  church  has  not  been 
reported  in  the  '  Mirmtes  of  the  Massachusetts  General  Asso- 


OF     ORANGE.  303 

ciation'  since  1S52,  at  which  time  it  was  reported  as  consist- 
ing of  thirteen  members,  five  of  whom  were  absent.  Little 
or  no  Congregational  preaching  has  been  enjoyed  in  this 
place  for  some  time  past.  Nearly  all  the  members  have  be- 
come connected  with  the  Congregational  church  in  the 
south  village  of  Orange.  Their  meeting-house  is  now  used 
by  other  denominations.  In  the  sixteen  years  since  this 
church  M'-as  formed,  it  has  had  a  settled  pastor  only  about 
two  years,  and  has  been  destitute  of  a  settled  ministry  about 
fourteen  years. 

Pastor.  Rev.  Josiah  Tucker  was  settled  the  first  and 
only  pastor  of  this  church  in  connection  with  the  church  in 
Erving,  Nov.  16,  1842,  and  the  sermon  was  preached  by 
Rev.  Dr.  Joseph  S.  Clark  of  Boston  ;  and  after  a  ministry  of 
about  one  year  and  nine  months,  was  dismissed,  Aug.  7, 
1844.  For  a  further  account  of  Mr.  Tucker,  see  the  account 
of  Erving  church  and  its  pastor. 

This  church  has  been  supplied  with  preaching  as  folloAvs, 
viz.  :  by  Rev.  Salmon  Bennett,  one  year  near  the  time  of  its 
organization  ;  by  Rev.  Dyer  Ball,  now  a  missionary  in  China, 
a  portion  of  1838  and  1839 ;  by  Rev.  Abel  Patten,  six 
months  in  1839  ;  by  Rev.  Warren  Allen,  six  months  in 
1840-1 ;  by  Rev.  Whitman  Peck,  six  months  in  1841  and 
1842 ;  and  after  Mr.  Tucker's  dismission  in  1844,  by  Rev. 
Erastus  Curtis,  some  part  of  the  time  in  1844,  1845,  1846, 
and  1847;  by  Rev.  Hiram  Chamberlain,  six  months  in 
1846-7 ;  since  which  time  no  stated  Congregational  preach- 
ing has  been  enjoyed  in  Irvingsville.  The  ministers,  who 
preached  as  stated  supplies,  frequently  preached  a  part  of 
the  time  at  Erving. 

Third  Church.  The  third  Congregational  church  in  Or- 
ange was  organize'd  at  what  was  formerly  considered  the 
centre  of  the  town,  but  which  is  now  called  North  Orange, 
Aug.  16,  1843,  consisting  of  eleven  members.  There  being 
no  evangelical  preaching  in  this  part  of  the  town,  in  1834 
some  of  the  neighboring  ministers,  by  request,  held  third 


304  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

meetings  on  the  Sabbath,  in  private  houses,  for  several 
weeks,  among  whom  were  Rev.  Mr.  Beckwith  of  Athol, 
Rev.  Mr.  Tracy  of  Petersham,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Lincohi  of 
Gardner.  It  was  attempted  to  break  up  some  of  the  meet- 
ings by  riot  and  disorder.  In  one  instance,  Rev.  Mr.  Tracy 
was  broken  off  in  public  prayer,  by  a  man  placing  himself 
before  him,  and  reading  aloud  from  Abner  Kneeland's  infi- 
del paper.  The  friends  of  these  meetings  struggled  along 
in  great  discouragement.  Three  peace  officers  were  some- 
times present  to  preserve  peace.  Some  time  in  1834,  indi- 
viduals had  a  small  house  of  worship  fitted  up,  which  is  the 
first  and  only  house  of  worship  which  this  church  and  people 
have  ever  had.  This  chapel  stood  unoccupied  for  several 
years.  In  1843,  Rev.  Josiah  Tucker  of  Erving  preached 
some  in  the  place,  and  the  church  was  organized,  as  already 
mentioned.  A  few  of  the  first  meetings  were  held  at  the 
house  of  Widow  Goddard,  who  was  a  hearer  of  Rev.  Emer- 
son Foster  and  a  member  of  his  church,  and  is  still  living  in 
Orange.  The  meetings  were  soon  transferred  to  the  chapel, 
where  this  church  and  people  have  since  continued  to  meet. 
This  church  has  been  supplied  with  preaching  by  Rev. 
Charles  Boyter,  Rev.  Samuel  D.  Darling,  Rev.  Willard 
Jones,  and,  for  about  two  years  past,  by  Rev.  Benjamin  F. 
Clarke.  This  church  and  people  began  to  receive  mission- 
ary aid  to  support  the  gospel  in  1843,  and  have  received 
$1,460.  It  is  not  known,  that  any  evangelical  ministerial 
association  of  the  Congregational  order  ever  met  in  this 
place,  or  in  any  part  of  this  town,  till  the  Franklin  Associa- 
tion met  at  North  Orange  in  August,  1852.  The  amount 
contributed  by  this  church  and  people  to  benevolent  objects, 
in  1853,  was  $42  17.  The  number  in  the  Sabbath  School, 
in  1852,  was  30.  The  church,  in  1853,  numbered  28.  This 
is  the  only  Orthodox  Congregational  church  now  existing  in 
Franklin  County,  which  has  not  had  a  pastor  settled  over  it. 
Fourth  Church.  The  fourth  Congregational  church  in 
Orange  was  organized  at  the  village  in  the  south  part  of  the 


OF     ORANGE.  305 

town,  Sept.  23,  1846,  with  fifteen  members.  In  1830,  there 
was  preaching  for  a  few  Sabbaths  in  this  village  by  the 
Messrs.  Packards  of  Shelbnrne,  under  the  Massachusetts  Mis- 
sionary Society.  But  few  Congregational  families  at  that 
time  resided  in  the  place.  Missionary  aid  has  been  granted 
to  this  people  for  the  support  of  the  gospel  since  1844  to  the 
amount  of  $1,010.  They  do  not  now  receive  aid.  The 
Congregational  meetings  were  once  held  in  school-rooms.  A 
few  years  since,  a  Union  Meetmg-house  was  built  in  the  vil- 
lage by  several  denominations,  and  was  occupied  a  part  of 
the  time  by  the  Congregational  people.  This  people  built 
their  present  house  of  worship  in  1852.  The  amount  given 
by  this  people  to  benevolent  objects  in  1851  was  $8  25.  The 
number  in  the  Sabbath  School  in  1852  was  75.  The  church 
in  1853  numbered  50.  A  revival  was  enjoyed  by  this 
people  in  1853.  This  church  was  supplied  with  preaching 
by  Rev.  Charles  Boyter,  from  1846  to  1848  ;  by  Rev.  Marshal 
B.  Angier,  from  1848  to  1851 :  by  Mr.  Lucius  M.  Boltwood, 
a  portion  of  the  time  from  1851  to  1852.  In  the  seven  years 
since  the  organization  of  this  church,  it  has  been  destitute  of 
a  settled  pastor  till  within  a  year  past.  Only  one  pastor  has 
been  settled  over  this  church. 

Pastor.  Rev.  David  Peck  was  ordained  the  first  and 
only  pastor  of  this  church,  Oct.  13,  1852,  and  Rev.  E.  W. 
Bullard  of  Royalston  preached  on  the  occasion.  Mr.  Peck 
was  born  in  Greenwich,  Ct.,  Feb.  16,  1825 ;  graduated  at 
Yale  in  1849 ;  studied  theology  at  New  Haven  from  1849 
to  1852;  was  licensed  to  preach  in  July,  1851;  preached 
at  Mount  Carmel,  in  Hamden,  Ct.,  from  September,  1851, 
till  May,  1852.  Ill  health  has  obliged  him  to  suspend  his 
pastoral  labors  for  several  months  past,  but  he  is  still  the 
pastor  of  the  church.  During  his  illness  the  church  has 
been  supplied  chiefly  by  Mr.  Charles  E.  Bruce. 

As  TO  Congregational  treachers  originating  from 
Orange,  it  is  not  known  that  a  single  minister  of  this  de- 
nomination Avas  born  in  the  town,  or  spent  his  early  years 
39 


306  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

here.  Leyden,  Munroe,  Erving,  and  Orange,  are  the  only- 
towns  HI  Frankhn  County  from  which  Congregational  min- 
isters have  not  originated. 

OTHER    DENOMINATIONS. 

Baptists.  A  Baptist  cliurch  was  organized  in  Orange  in 
1834,  with  29  members.  The  number  of  members  reported 
for  1851  was  15.^  The  following  preachers  have  supplied 
this  church  and  people,  viz.,  Rev.  Lysander  Fay,  several 
years  between  1834  and  1841  ;  Rev.  B.  F.  Remington,  from 
1842  to  1843 ;  Rev.  David  Goddard,  from  1843  to  1844  ; 
Rev.  Lysander  Fay,  from  1846  to  1848;  and  since  1848 
they  have  had  no  stated  preaching.  The  Baptists  own  no 
meeting-house  in  Orange ;  but  have  occupied  the  Congre- 
gational house  at  Irvingsville  more  or  less. 

Methodists.  The  first  Methodist  church  in  Orange  was 
organized  about  1794,  in  connection  with  the  labors  of  Rev. 
Benjamin  P.  Hill.  It  now  consists  of  eight  or  nine  members. 
The  second  one  was  formed  in  Irvingsville,  West  Orange, 
July  30,  1853 ;  and  Rev.  J.  Goodwin  has  supplied  it  and  is 
.still  preaching  there.  The  following  preachers  have  sup- 
plied the  first  church,  viz.,  Revs.  Benjamin  P.  Hill  in  1794 ; 
Thomas  Coope  in  1795  ;  Philip  Wager  and  Lorenzo  Dow  in 
1796;  Smith  Wicks  in  1797  ;  Elijah  Bachelor  in  1798  ;  John 
Nickols  in  1799  ;  Joshua  Crowell  in  1800  ;  Abner  Wood  and 
Martin  Butler  in  1801;  Luther  Bishop  in  1803;  Phineas 
Cook  in  1804  ;  Thomas  Ravlin  and  Hezekiah  Field  in  1805  ; 
William  Stevens  and  John  Tinkham  in  1806  ;  Benjamin  P. 
Hill  in  1807  ;  Greenleaf  R.  Norris,  Abner  Clark,  and  Eben- 
ezer  Washburn  in  1808 ;  Greenleaf  R.  Norris,  Edward  Hyde 
and  Amasa  Taylor  in  1809 ;  David  Carr,  and  Robert  Arnold 
in  1810  ;  Philip  Munger  and  Stephen  Wingate  in  1811  ;  Joel 
Steele,  probably  in  1812;  Joel  Steele  and  Thomas  W. 
Tucker  in  1813  ;  Elisha  Streeter  and  Van  Rensselaer  Os- 
borne in  1814;  Artemas  Stebbins  and  Benjamin  Shaw  in 
1815  ;  Benjamin  Sabin  and  S.  Winchester  in  1816  ;  Leonard 


OF      ORANGE, 


307 


Bennett,  Eleazer  Steele  and  Edward  Hyde  in  1817  ;  William 
Wright  in  1818  ;  Elisha  Streeter,  Thomas  Tucker  and  Van 
Rensselaer  Osborne  in  1819;  Amasa  Taylor  and  Phineas 
Crandall  in  1820  ;  Ella  Dunham  and  Mr.  Thacher  in  1821 : 
Mr.  Thacher  in  1822 ;  Barzilla  Pierce,  William  Barstow  and 
Benjamin  Paine  in  1823 ;  Aaron  Lummus  and  Erastus  Otis 
in  1824 ;  Mr.  Harrington  in  1825  ;  John  E.  Risley  and  Hiram 
Waldron  in  1826  ;  William  Nelson  in  1827 ;  Mr.  Stevens  in 
1828  ;  Humphrey  Harris  in  1829  ;  Salmon  Hull  and  Jonathan 
D.  Bridge  in  1830  ;  Henry  J.  Woolley  and  Humphrey  Harris 
in  1831 ;  Elias  P.  Stevens  in  1832 ;  Mr.  Bradley  and  Otis 
Wilder  in  1833 ;  Otis  Wilder  in  1834 ;  George  Green  and 
Zadoc  King  in  1835 ;  Zadoc  King  in  1836  ;  Messrs.  Alder- 
man and  Keath  in  1837 ;  Erastus  Otis  in  1838 ;  Leonard 
Frost  in  1840  and  1841 ;  Amasa  Taylor  and  Leonard  Frost 
in  1842,  1843,  and  1844 ;  George  Rickett  in  1845 ;  Thomas 
W.  Gile  in  1846  ;  and  since  1846  they  have  had  no  preacher. 
The  following  Methodist  Preachers  originated  from  Orange, 
viz.,  Revs.  John  Brooks,  Martin  Butler,  John  W.  Wheeler, 
and  Ira  Whitney. 

Unitarians.  The  first  Orthodox  Congregational  church 
in  Orange  was  formed  in  the  fall  of  1782,  and  became  Uni- 
tarian within  the  last  half  century.  Rev.  Joshua  Chandler 
was  settled  as  the  first  Unitarian  pastor  of  this  church,  Nov. 
27,  1822;  and  was  dismissed,  Oct.  31,  1827.  This  church 
and  society  had  but  little  preaching  between  the  pastorates 
of  Messrs.  Foster  and  Chandler,  a  period  of  32  years.  Since 
Mr.  Chandler's  dismi'ssion,  Rev.  Seth  Winslow  supplied 
several  years ;  and  Rev.  C.  W.  Mellen,  a  Universalist 
preacher,  supplied  a  part  of  the  time  in  1841 ;  and  Rev.  J. 
A.  Coolidge,  a  Universalist  preacher,  supplied  half  a  year  in 
1842 ;  since  1842  Rev.  Levi  Ballon,  a  Universalist  preacher, 
has  preached  for  them  and  for  the  Universalist  society ;  the 
two  societies  having  united  in  1844,  and  having  worshiped 
together  since  that  time. 

Universalists.     a  Universalist  society  was  formed  in  the 


308  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

north  part  of  Orange  in  1844,  and  have  worshiped  with  the 
Unitarians  in  their  meeting-honse,  and  have  been  supplied 
by  Rev.  Levi  Ballon  since  that  time. 

A  Universalist  society  was  organized  in  the  south  village 
of  Orange,  Nov.  8,  1851.  Before  the  organization,  Univer- 
salists  preached  in  this  village  ;  Rev.  Otis  W.  Bacon  for  a 
year  or  two ;  Rev.  C.  W.  Mellen  for  two  or  three  years ;  and 
Rev.  Lemuel  Willis  from  1850  to  1852,  and  Rev.  J.  Hemp- 
hill since  that  time.  Three  Universalist  preachers  have 
originated  from  Orange,  viz.,  Rev.  Sumner  Ellis,  Rev.  Jona- 
than Forrister,  and  Mr.  Goodale. 

Summary  of  Preachers  originating  from  Orange  :  Method- 
ists, 4.     Universalists,  3.     Total,  7. 

ROWE. 

"  This  town  was  incorporated,  Feb.  9,  1785.  It  has  an 
elevated  situation,  and  was  originally  purchased  by  a  Mr. 
Jones.  In  1838  the  Legislature  annexed  a  part  of  an  unin- 
corporated tract,  called  Zoar,  to  this  town.  This  tract  com- 
prised 1,875  acres  of  land,  adjoining  the  south  part  of  the 
town,  on  which  were  six  families.  One  of  the  cordon  of 
forts  erected  about  1744  for  a  defence  against  the  French 
and  Indians  was  situated  in  this  town.  The  ruins  of  this 
fortification,  called  Fort  Pelham,  are  situated  southeast  of 
the  Congregational  church  in  the  centre  of  the  town  on  Pel- 
ham  brook,  a  small  stream,  being  the  only  one  passing 
through  the  town."  The  population  of  Rowe  in  1850  was 
659.  Four  churches  have  been  formed  in  Rowe ;  two  Con- 
gregational, one  Baptist,  and  one  Methodist. 

ORTHODOX     CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

First  Church.  The  early  records  of  the  first  Congre- 
gational church  in  Rowe,  having  been  consumed  in  the  fire 
that  consumed  the  house  of  the  first  pastor,  the  precise  date 
of  the  organization  of  the  church  cannot  with  certainty  be 


OF     R  O  W  E  .  309 

determined.  It  is  supposed,  however,  to  have  been  formed 
as  early  as  1774,  with  nine  members.  It  was  originally- 
Orthodox  ;  but  became  Unitarian  within  a  half  a  century 
past.  "  The  first  Meeting-house  was  built  about  the  year 
1770.  It  was  a  small  house  built  on  the  crown  of  the  hill  in 
the  centre  of  the  town,  inclosed  with  rough  boards,  the  in- 
side being  never  finished.  It  was  taken  down,  when  the  old 
meeting-house  now  standing  upon  the  same  spot  was  erected. 
This  house  was  built  in  the  year  1793,  by  a  tax  upon  the 
town,  and  was  used  ten  years  before  the  inside  was  finished. 
A  difficulty  arose  among  the  inhabitants  about  the  spot  upon 
which  it  should  be  built,  which  was  amicably  settled  by  re- 
ferring the  matter  to  three  disinterested  persons,  non-residents 
of  the  town.  This  house  was  used  fifty-two  years  as  a  place 
of  public  worship,  when  it  was  abandoned  by  the  church 
and  society,  who,  in  1845,  built  a  new  house  not  far  from  the 
old  one.     The  old  house  is  now  used  for  a  town  house. 

"  The  Rev.  Cornelius  Jones,  the  first  minister  who  preached 
in  toM'n,  was  a  Congregationalist.  He  was  settled  in  Sandis- 
field,  Berkshire  County.  Leaving  his  charge  there  he  pur- 
chased a  tract  of  wild  land,  four  miles  square,  which  in- 
cluded most  of  what  is  now  Rowe  and  a  part  of  Monroe.  It 
is  thought  that  he  made  his  purchase  about  the  year  1760, 
which  he  named  Myrifield,  It  retained  this  name  till  1785, 
when  the  town  was  incorporated  by  the  name  of  Rowe.  Mr. 
Jones  erected  a  small  house  (probably  of  logs)  not  far  from 
the  centre  of  his  purchase,  and  moved  his  large  family  into 
it.  He  invited  settlers  to  his  plantation  in  the  wilderness  ; 
and  when  a  sufficient  number  had  taken  up  their  residence 
near  him,  he  invited  them  to  his  house  and  preached  to  them 
the  word  of  life  on  the  Sabbath.  This  he  continued  to  do 
until  his  congregation  became  too  numerous  to  be  accommo- 
dated in  his  humble  dwelling.  He  then  selected  a  site  for  a 
meeting-house,  and  gave  a  small  tract  of  land  about  it,  for  a 
'•  meeting-house  lot ;"  and  the  inhabitants  erected  the  first 
meeting-house  about  1770,  which  has  been  described  above. 


310 


CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 


Rev.  Mr.  Jones  continued  to  preach  to  the  people  in  this 
house  as  long  as  he  remained  in  town ;  and  with  the  assist- 
ance of  the  neighboring  ministers  had  organized  a  church, 
which  was  called  the  Church  of  Christ  in  Myrifield.  This 
was  previous  to  the  year  1774.  *  *  *  When  the  Revolu- 
tionary war  broke  out,  Mr,  Jones'  society  was  greatly  dimin- 
ished, and  at  the  approach  of  the  British  army  under  Gen. 
Burgoyne,  Mr.  Jones  and  his  oldest  son  marched  for  the  field 
of  battle.  His  son  never  returned.  At  the  close  of  the  war, 
Mr.  Jones  sold  his  possessions  in  Rowe,  invested  his  property 
in  Continental  money,  and  removed  to  Skeensboro',  (now 
White  Hall)  N.Y.  ;  and  after  a  number  of  ineffectual  trials  at 
Congress  to  regain  his  property,  he  died  at  that  place."  The 
foregoing  quoted  account  is  furnished  by  Rev.  Stilman 
Barber,  a  former  pastor  of  the  Unitarian  church  in  Rowe. 

Blake's  History  of  Mendon  Association  says  of  Mr.  Jones 
that  he  "  is  recorded  as  a  native  of  Bellingham.  He  grad- 
uated at  Harvard  University  in  1752,  and  received  A.  M. 
He  was  ordained  as  first  pastor  of  the  church  in  Sandisfield 
in  1756,  on  the  same  day  in  which  the  church  was  organ- 
ized. President  Edwards,  then'  in  Stockbridge,  preached 
the  ordination  sermon,  which,  through  lack  of  a  meeting- 
house, was  delivered  in  a  har7i.  Mr.  Jones  was  dismissed 
in  1761.  Rev.  D.  D.  Field  says,  'He  never  resettled,  but 
preached  occasionally.  He  resided  for  a  number  of  years  in 
Rowe  ;  then  removed  to  Skeenesborough,  now  White  Hall, 
N.  Y.,  where  he  died  at  an  advanced  age.'  The  Harvard 
College  Catalogue  says  he  died  in  1783,  The  name  of  his 
wife  was  Sarah,  and  he  was  married  while  at  Sandisfield. 
Nothing  more  is  known  of  him.  And  even  at  White  Hall 
the  oldest  citizen  can  give  no  information  whatever  in  rela- 
tion to  him."  Mr.  Jones  was  licensed  by  the  Mendou  Asso- 
ciation, May  9,  1753. 

After  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jones  left  Rowe,  the  Rev.  Amasa  Cook, 
who  was  afterwards  settled  at  Bernardston,  preached  as  a 
candidate  ;  also  the  Rev.  John  Foster,  previous  to  the  settle- 


OFROWE.  311 

ment  of  the  Rev.  Preserved  Smith.  After  Mr.  Smith's  first 
dismission  from  Rowe,  Rev.  Freeman  Sears,  who  Avns  after- 
wards settled  and  died  at  Natick,  preached  and  was  invited 
to  settle  as  pastor,  but  declined.  Afterwards,  Rev.  Josiah 
W.  Canning,  now  of  Gill,  preached,  and  then  a  Rev.  Mr. 
Phelps,  and  then  a  Rev.  Mr.  Holman.  In  January,  1807, 
the  Rev.  Jonathan  Gilmore  was  invited  to  settle  as  pastor, 
and  he  accepted  the  invitation,  and  a  council  was  called  to 
settle  him,  but  did  not  see  fit  to  do  it.  This  church  had  two 
pastors  while  it  remained  an  Orthodox  church  ;  and  one  of 
them  was  resettled  over  the  same  church. 

Pastors.  1.*  Rev.  Preserved  Smith  Vt^as  ordained  as 
the  first  pastor  of  this  church,  Nov.  21,  1787,  and  Rev. 
Robert  Hubbard  of  Shelburne  preached  the  sermon  ;  and, 
after  a  ministry  of  about  sixteen  years  and  a  half,  he  was 
dismissed,  May  30,  1804;  and  was  resettled  as  pastor  of  this 
church,  Dec.  2,  1812,  and  Rev.  Jonathan  Grout  of  Hawley 
preached  the  sermon,  which  was  published  ;  and  after  an 
additional  ministry  of  about  twenty  years  requested  a  release 
from  pastoral  service,  March  10,  1832,  but  was  never  regu- 
larly dismissed  by  a  council.  Both  periods  of  his  ministry 
in  Rowe  amounted  to  about  thirty-six  years.  After  leaving 
Rowe  the  first  time,  Mr.  Smith  was  settled  as  pastor  of  two 
churches  in  Mendon,  Oct.  2,  1805,  and  was  dismissed  from 
there,  Oct.  20,  1812. 

The  following  extracts  are  from  a  biographical  sketch  of 
Mr.  Smith,  by  his  son,  Rev.  Preserved  Smith,  now  of  Deer- 
field,  published  in  1852  :  "  He  was  born  in  Ashfield,  Mass., 
June  25,  1759.  He  was  the  sixth  in  descent  from  Rev. 
Henry  Smith,  who  came  from  England  and  was  settled  in 
Wethersfield,  Ct.,  in  1641.  There  is  a  tradition,  on  which 
much  reliance  can  be  placed,  that  Rev.  H.  Smith  had  a  son 
born  while  on  the  passage  to  this  country,  and  from  that  cir- 
cumstance he  called  his  name  Preserved,  a  name  that  has 
been  retained  in  the  line  of  his  descendants.  His  father  was 
Elder  Ebenezer  Smith,  who  was  many  years  a  pastor  of  the 


312  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

Baptist  church  in  Ashfield,  Mass.  He  lived  to  the  advanced 
age  of  90,  and  was  a  preacher  in  the  Baptist  denomination 
72  years.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Remember  Ellis,  who  is 
said  to  have  been  a  person  of  uncommon  worth.  When  the 
nuptial  day  arrived,  he  took  his  bride  behind  him  on  horse- 
back, and  went  from  Ashfield  (then  Huntstown)  to  Deer- 
field  to  have  the  ceremony  performed,  there  being  no  minister 
or  magistrate  nearer.  His  father  rode  another  horse  before 
them  with  his  gun  to  guard  them  from  the  Indians. 
This  was  in  1756,  six  years  after  the  settlement  of  the 
town.  *  *  * 

"  His  early  education  was  much  neglected.  The  schools 
at  that  period  were  imperfectly  taught,  and  only  a  few  weeks 
during  the  year.  Dil worth's  spelling  book,  and  the  Psalter, 
being  the  principal  books  used  in  the  primary  stages  of  edu- 
cation. He  early  discovered  a  thirst  for  knowledge  ;  read 
the  books  that  came  in  his  way,  and,  when  in  the  field  at 
work,  he  would  seize  every  leisure  moment  in  exercising 
himself  in  arithmetic  by  the  use  of  a  piece  of  chalk  on  a  log, 
or  a  piece  of  bark.  It  was  at  that  early  period  that  he  met 
with  a  Latin  grammar.  It  greatly  excited  his  curiosity,  and 
he  resolved  from  that  hour,  that,  if  his  life  were  spared  him, 
he  would  acquire  the  knowledge  of  the  language,  of  which 
that  little  elementary  work  was  the  key.  *  *  *  When  the 
revolutionary  war  commenced,  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age. 
He  immediately  entered  the  army  and  served  five  campaigns 
a  soldier  in  the  militia  department.  He  was  not  called  into 
any  actual  engagement,  but  once  participated  in  a  skirmish 
when  the  army  of  General  Gates  and  that  of  General  Bur- 
goyne  lay  side  by  side  on  the  banks  of  the  Hudson.  In 
1825,  when  in  company  with  a  friend,  he  reviewed  the 
grounds  which  were  the  scenes  of  the  most  interesting  events 
during  the  Revolution,  and  saw  the  identical  pine  tree  which 
sheltered  him  from  the  balls  of  the  enemy,  which  lay  con- 
cealed behind  a  fortification.  The  recognition  of  this  old 
friend,  after  a  lapse  of  forty-eight  years,  to  which  he  had 


OF     ROWE.  313 

been  probably  indebted  for  the  preservation  of  his  life,  deep- 
ly affected  him.  *  *  *  Leaving  the  army  when  he  was 
nineteen  years  of  age,  he  bonght  his  time,  as  it  is  called,  of 
his  father,  and  set  out  in  the  world  for  himself,  with  nothing 
to  begin  with  save  his  hands  and  his  health,  and  blessed 
with  a  constitution  unusually  firm  and  inured  to  hardship. 
He  purchased  a  lot  of  land,  and  on  this  he  commenced  his 
labors  for  himself.  With  the  proceeds  of  the  first  crop  of 
grain  he  was  enabled  to  pay  for  the  purchase,  then  having 
an  opportunity  to  sell  it  at  a  handsome  advance,  he  was  not 
long  in  deciding  what  to  do.  He  immediately  set  about  ful- 
filling the  desire  prompted  several  years  before  by  the  Latin 
grammar  already  alluded  to.  He  commenced  the  study  of 
the  languages  with  reference  to  preparation  for  college  under 
the  instruction  of  Rev.  Mr.  Hubbard  of  Shelburne.  His 
preparation  was  made  partly  Avith  this  gentleman,  and 
partly  under  the  instruction  of  Rev.  Mr.  Murdock  of  Paw- 
let,  Vt." 

He  graduated  at  Brown  in  1786  ;  and  studied  theology 
under  the  instruction  of  Rev.  John  Emerson  of  Conway  ; 
was  licensed  by  the  Hampshire  Association  in  the  spring  of 
1787.  In  January,  1788,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Eunice 
Wells,  the  youngest  daughter  of  Col.  David  Wells  of  Shel- 
burne, by  whom  he  had  two  children,  Rev.  Preserved  Smith,, 
Jr.,  and  Mr.  Royal  Wells  Smith,  a  graduate  of  Williams; 
College  in  1818,  who  died  while  preparing  for  the  ministry^ 
on  a  visit  to  Shelburne,  Sept.  8,  1820,  aged  21.  Becoming; 
a  Unitarian,  Mr.  Smith  withdrew  from  Franklin  Association^ 
Feb.  9,  1821.  He  was  the  first  person  from  Ashfield  who* 
obtained  a  collegiate  education.  He  published  two  Masonic, 
discourses,  and  the  farewell  sermon  he  preached  at  Rowe  in; 
1804. 

From  the  abridgment  of  the  biographical  sketch  of  Mr» 
Smith,  contained  in  the  History  of  Mendon  Association,  the- 
following  is  inserted  :   "  He  was  a  great  student  through  life,.- 
and,  in  the  last  twenty  years  of  his  ministry,  much  devoted 
40 


314  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

to  the  study  of  the  scriptures,  especially  in  the  original,  and 
various  translations.  His  sermons  were  mostly  extempora- 
neous, rarely  writing  them  in  full ;  and  they  were  replete 
with  fresh  thoughts  from  his  richly  stored  mind.  His  theo- 
logical views  for  many  years  might  be  termed  T7'initarian 
Arminian  ;  but,  towards  the  close  of  his  ministry,  he  dis- 
carded the  Trinitarian  dogma,  yet  he  did  not  like  to  be 
called  Unitarian.  He  thought  that  the  name  given  to  the 
disciples  at  Antioch  is  the  true  name  by  which  the  followers 
of  Christ  ought  to  be  called.  Mathematics  and  astronomy 
were  his  favorite  studies  for  relaxation.  For  controversial 
theology  he  had  no  taste.  His  love  of  free  inquiry  led 
him  to  advocate  freedom  of  action,  and  oppose  combina- 
tions for  their  tendency  to  abuse  of  power.  In  manner, 
he  was  affectionate  and  sincere  ;  in  conversation,  affable, 
entertaining,  and  full  of  anecdote — and  serene  in  his  old 
age." 

After  his  dismission  from  Rowe  the  second  time,  Mr. 
Smith  lived  with  his  son,  who  was  then  pastor  of  the 
Unitarian  church  in  Warwick,  and  died  at  Warwick,  Aug. 
15,  1834,  aged  75.  The  following  scriptural  epitaph  is  in- 
scribed on  his  gravestone  in  the  burial  ground  in  Warwick  : 
"  Remember  them  who  have  spoken  unto  you  the  word  of 
God,  whose  faith  follow,  considering  the  end  of  their  con- 
versation. Heb.  xiii.  7."  His  widow  died  July  13,  1847, 
aged  83.  According  to  previous  agreement  and  arrange- 
ment, Mr.  Smith  preached  a  sermon  in  Buckland,  Sept.  4, 
1815,  on  the  subjects  and  mode  of  baptism,  which  was  im- 
mediately followed  by  one  from  Rev.  George  Witherell,  a 
Baptist  minister  of  Coleraine,  on  the  same  subject.  Mr. 
Witherell's  sermon  was  published. 

2.  Rev.  Jonathan  Keith  was  settled  as  the  second  pastor 
of  this  church,  during  the  interval  between  Mr.  Smith's  two 
pastorates  in  the  town,  Jan.  6,  1808,  and  the  sermon  was 
preached  by  the  Rev.  James  Thompson  of  Barre  ;  and  after 
a  ministry  of  about  four  years  was  dismissed,  Jan.  10,  1812. 


OF     ROWE.  315 

Mr.  Keith  was  born  in  Bridgewater,  (Titicut  Parish)  Jan. 
16,  1782 ;  graduated  at  Brown  in  1805 ;  studied  theology 
with  Rev.  Dr.  Perez  Forbes  of  Raynham ;  and  after  leaving 
Rowe,  preached  some  at  Dorchester,  at  Barrington,  R.  I.  ; 
and  has  lived  at  Newport,  R.  I.,  and  Providence,  R.  1., 
fifteen  years ;  in  1847  removed  to  Raynham,  where  he  now 
resides.  Since  leaving  the  ministry  he  has  been  a  teacher 
and  a  horticulturist. 

The  hvo  pastors  of  this  church,  who  were  settled  while  it 
was  Orthodox,  were  dismissed ;  one  of  them  is  living ;  one 
became  a  Unitarian  ;  and  the  average  length  of  their  minis- 
try in  Rowe  was  about  twenty  years.  For  an  account  of 
the  pastors  settled  over  the  first  Congregational  church  in 
Rowe  after  it  became  Unitarian,  see  the  account  given  of 
the  Unitarian  church  and  its  pastors  in  Rowe. 

Second  Church.  The  second  Congregational  church, 
and  now  the  only  Orthodox  Congregational  church  in 
Rowe,  was  formed,  April  10,  1833,  with  only  three  mem- 
bers. This  small  church  and  society  worshiped  for  a  time 
in  a  ham  fitted  up  for  the  purpose,  and  the  author  once  ad- 
ministered the  communion  to  this  church  in  that  barn. 
Their  first  and  present  Meeting-house  was  built  in  1834. 
The  amount  given  by  this  people  to  benevolent  objects  in 
1852  was  ^13  45.  The  number  in  the  Sabbath  school  in 
1852  was  thirty-five.  The  church  in  1853  numbered 
twenty-eight.  In  the  twenty  years  and  a  half  since  this 
church  was  organized,  it  has  been  destitute  of  a  settled  min- 
istry about  thirteen  years  and  a  half,  and  has  had  a  settled 
pastor  about  seven  years.  This  church  has  been  supplied 
by  the  following  ministers  among  others,  viz. :  Rev.  Erastus 
Dickinson  and  Rev.  Samuel  Ware,  previous  to  the  settle- 
ment of  a  pastor  ;  and  Rev.  Noah  Cressey,  who  supplied  in 
1851  ;  and  Rev.  Jeremiah  Pomroy,  who  has  been  their 
stated  supply  since  1851.  This  church  and  people  began 
to  receive  missionary  aid  to  support  the  gospel  in  1833,  and 
have  received  $2,550.     They  have  suffered  greatly  by  the 


316  CHURCHES    AND    MINISTERS 

removal  to  other  places  of  mauy  of  theii-  important  and  val- 
uable members.     They  have  had  three  pastors  settled. 

Pastors.  1.  Rev.  John  C.  Thompson  was  ordained  as 
the  first  pastor  of  this  church,  Oct.  28,  1835,  and  the  sermon 
was  preached  by  Rev.  Wales  Tileston ;  and  after  a  ministry 
of  nearly  two  years  was  dismissed,  June  19,  1837.  Mr. 
Thompson  was  born  in  Heath,  Sept.  27,  1804 ;  graduated 
at  Amherst  in  1829 ;  studied  theology  in  part  at  Andover  ; 
was  licensed  by  Franklin  Association,  Jan.  27,  1835  ;  after 
leaving  Rowe,  was  installed  as  pastor  in  Goshen,  Oct.  4, 
1837,  and  Rev.  Horatio  Bordwell  of  Oxford  preached  the 
sermon  ;  was  dismissed  from  Goshen,  Oct.  19,  1842  ;  from  a 
failure  of  health  retired  from  preaching  and  occupied  a  farm 
in  West  Springfield  for  three  years ;  in  1846  was  an  agent 
of  the  Franklin  County  Bible  Society  for  six  months;  then 
preached  as  a  stated  supply  a  year  and  a  half  in  Halifax ; 
has  preached  more  or  less,  since  then,  as  health  would 
allow ;  now  resides  in  Holyoke,  and  is  supplying  in  Mont- 
gomery. 

2.  Rev.  Andrew  Govan  was  installed  as  the  second  pas- 
tor of  this  church,  Sept.  5,  1838,  and  the  sermon  was 
preached  by  Rev.  Dr.  Chandler,  and  was  published ;  and 
after  a  ministry  of  about  four  years  was  dismissed,  Aug.  29, 
1842.  Mr.  Govan  was  born  in  Glasgow,  Scotland,  March  5, 
1794;  graduated  at  the  University  of  Glasgow  in  1817; 
finished  his  theological  studies  in  the  divinity  department  of 
the  University  in  that  city  in  1823 ;  was  licensed  by  the 
Relief  Presbytery  of  Glasgow  in  October,  1823  ;  embarked 
for  the  United  States  in  August,  1827 ;  preached  in  Clin- 
tonville,  N.  Y.,  two  years;  settled  as  a  pastor  in  Barnet, 
Vt.,  Oct.  22,  1829,  and  Rev.  D.  Sutherland  preached  the 
sermon ;  and  was  dismissed  from  there,  Sept.  5.  1832 ; 
installed  as  pastor  at  Lancaster,  N.  H.,  Oct.  24,  1832,  and 
Rev.  Silas  McKeen  preached  the  sermon  ;  and  was  dismissed 
from  there  in  a  few  years,  and  settled  in  Rowe  ;  after  leav- 
ing Rowe  went  to   Michigan,  in    1842 ;    has  preached   in 


OFROWE.  317 

Byron  and  many  other  places  in  that  State  ;  during  his  resi- 
dence of  eleven  years  in  Michigan,  under  his  labors  two 
hundred  have  been  received  to  the  church,  $1000  raised  for 
benevolent  purposes,  four  churches  organized,  and  three 
houses  of  worship  built.  Under  his  ministry  in  Barnet,  Vt., 
a  revival  was  enjoyed,  in  which  about  fifty  gave  evidence  of 
becoitiing  christians.  Mr.  Govan  buried  his  first  wife  in 
Barnet,  Vt.  He  is  now  preaching  in  Fentonville,  Genesee 
Co.,  Michigan. 

3.  Rev.  Benjamin  F.  Clarke  Avas  installed  as  the  third 
pastor  of  this  church,  June  7,  1849,  and  after  a  ministry  of 
about  a  year  and  a  third  was  dismissed,  Oct.  23,  1850. 
Previous  to  his  settlement  as  pastor  of  this  church,  Mr. 
Clarke  had  supplied  them  since  1842.  For  a  further  notice 
of  him,  see  the  account  of  the  Congregational  pastors  in 
Buckland,  where  he  was  first  settled  as  a  pastor. 

The  three  pastors  of  this  church  have  all  been  dismissed ; 
all  of  them  are  living  ;  and  the  average  length  of  their  min- 
istry in  Rowe  has  been  about  two  years  and  a  third. 

CONGREGATIONAL    PREACHERS    ORIGINATING    FROM    ROWE. 

1.*  Rev.  Joseph  W.  Clary  was  born  in  Rowe,  November, 
1786  ;  and  was  the  son  of  Dr.  Isaac  Clary,  the  first  physician 
of  Rowe  ;  in  early  life  he,  with  his  father's  family,  removed 
to  Hartford,  N.  Y.  ;  graduated  at  Middlebury  in  1808  ;  fin- 
ished his  theological  studies  at  Andover  in  1811;  was  or- 
dained as  pastor  at  Dover,  N.  H.,  May  7,  1812,  and  was 
dismissed  from  there,  Aug.  6,  1828 ;  was  installed  at  Cor- 
nish, N.  H.,  in  November,  1828,  and  was  dismissed  from  there, 
Oct.  25,  1834;  and  died  in  Cornish,  N.  H.,  April  13,  1835, 
aged  48 ;  and  his  remains  were  re-interred  at  Dover,  N.  H., 
Dec.  19,  1835.  He  expired  suddenly  without  a  struggle  or 
a  groan.  On  his  death-bed  he  said  :  "  What  a  sorry  aj)pear- 
ance  should  I  make  in  heaven  without  the  righteousness  of 
Christ  ?"  When  a  brother  in  the  ministry  said  to  him  : 
"  You   are  willing  that  the  glory  of  your  salvation  should 


318 


CHURCHES     AND     JIINISTERS 


rest  on  the  merits  of  Christ,"  he  replied,  with  peculiar  em- 
phasis and  emotion  :  "  From  beginning  to  end,  Amen."  He 
observed  he  had  "  had  a  great  dread  of  death,  but  the  thought 
had  occurred  to  him  lately,  that  he  might  find  it  very 
different  from  what  he  had  anticipated.  It  might  be  noth- 
ing." 

Dr.  Tufts,  the  clerk  of  Dover  church,  makes  the  following 
record  of  him  :  "  His  sermons  were  ably  written  ;  his  piety 
deviated  ;  his  doctrine  sound  ;  his  disposition  kind  and  for- 
giving, and  his  mind  remarkably  pure.  He  sowed  much 
good  seed  in  this  place,  and  his  memory  is  cherished  with 
great  affection  by  many  here.  He  rests  in  peace.  The 
council  that  dismissed  him  from  Dover  made  the  following 
record,  viz.  :  '  They  do  not  find  the  separation  to  have  been 
occasioned  by  a  neglect  of  duty  on  his  part,  nor  by  want  of 
affection  or  respect  on  the  part  of  the  people.'  "  The  parish, 
at  his  dismission,  voted  to  give  him  a  thousand  dollars,  and 
paid  it.  Rev.  David  Root,  a  pastor  of  Dover  church,  in  a 
bicentennial  sermon  preached  there,  Nov.  29,  1838,  says  of 
him  :  "  Mr.  Clary  was  a  good  and  pious  man,  a  serious  and 
faithful  pastor,  and  an  excellent  and  able  sermonizer." 
Rev.  Mr.  Sperry,  his  fellow  student,  says  of  him  :  "  In  his 
theological  studies  he  took  a  great  interest,  and  was  un- 
wearied in  his  endeavors  to  become  a  scribe  well  instructed. 
He  endeavored  to  be  thorough  in  his  acquisitions  ;  to  dive 
deep  and  bring  up  precious  pearls.  It  was  his  aim  to  become 
an  accurate  and  safe  guide,  rather  than  an  eloquent  and  pop- 
ular preacher."  Says  Rev.  Jonathan  French,  then  of  North- 
ampton, N.  H.,  in  a  sermon  preached  at  the  re-interment  of 
Mr.  Clary's  remains  at  Dover,  "  The  spiritual  interests  of  this 
people,  and  the  prosperity  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom  in  this 
place,  were  very  dear  to  him."  On  his  gravestone  at  Dover, 
N.  H.,  is  the  following  inscription,  viz.  :  "  This  stone  is 
erected  by  the  first  church  in  Dover,  in  grateful  remembrance 
of  the  exemplary  piety  and  faithful  ministerial  labors  of  the 
Rev.  Joseph  W.  Clary,  who,  for  more  than  sixteen  years,  was 


OF     ROWE.  319 

their  beloved  pastor."     A  son  of  Mr.  Clary,  Rev.  Timothy 
F.  Clary,  is  a  Congregational  pastor  in  Thetford,  Vt. 

2.  Rev.  Noah  Cressey  was  born  in  New  Salem,  N.  H., 
April  9,  1777  ;  in  early  life  he  removed  with  his  father's 
family  to  Tolland,  Ct.  ;  and,  when  eight  or  nine  years  old, 
he  removed  to  Rowe,  where  he  lived  till  he  was  about 
eighteen  years  of  age,  when  he  removed  to  Charlemont, 
Mr.  Cressey  graduated  at  Williams  in  1805  ;  studied  theology 
with  Rev.  Dr.  Packard  of  Shelburne  ;  and  was  licensed  by 
Franklin  Association,  Aug.  13,  1806.  He  was  ordained  as 
pastor  in  Norway,  Me.,  Sept.  20,  1809,  and  Rev.  John  Dutton 
of  N.  Yarmouth,  Me.,  preached  the  sermon  ;  and  he  was  dis- 
missed from  there  in  1819  ;  was  installed  as  pastor  at  North 
Yarmouth,  Me.,  in  1820,  and  Rev.  Jonathan  Greenleaf  of 
Wells,  Me.,  and  now  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  preached  the  ser- 
mon ;  and  was  dismissed  from  there  in  eight  years  ;  since 
which  time  he  has  not  been  settled  in  the  ministry.  He  has 
labored  as  a  Home  Missionary  in  several  States  of  the  Union. 
He  preached  three  years  in  the  counties  of  Windsor,  Caledo- 
nia, and  Orleans,  Vt.  ;  three  years  in  Steuben  County,  N.Y., 
in  1839,  1840,  and  1841 ;  preached  in  1843  and  1845  in 
Livingston  and  Clinton  counties,  Mich.  ;  in  1848  and  1849 
preached  in  the  counties  of  Dodge,  Walworth,  and  Rock, 
Wis.  ;  in  1851  preached  some  in  Rowe  ;  has  made  it  his 
home  for  several  years  past  in  Portland,  Me.,  where  he 
now  resides.  He  has  published  one  sermon  and  several 
poems. 

3.  Rev.  Preserved  Smith,  Jr.,  was  a  son  of  Rev.  Preserved 
Smith,  the  first  pastor  in  Rowe,  and  was  born  in  that  town 
in  1789;  graduated  at  Brown  in  1812;  studied  theology 
with  his  father,  with  Rev.  Jonathan  Grout  of  Hawley,  and 
with  Rev.  Dr.  Packard  of  Shelburne  ;  was  licensed  by 
Franklin  Association,  Sept.  16,  1813  ;  was  ordained  as 
pastor  of  the  Unitarian  church  in  Warwick,  Oct.  12,  1814, 
and  closed  his  labors  there,  after  a  ministry  of  thirty  years, 
Oct.  12,  1844 ;  then  preached  for  several  years  in  Pembroke  ; 


320  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

and  then  removed  to  Deerfield,  where  he  now  resides.  Mr. 
Smith  became  a  Unitarian  minister  after  being  licensed. 

4.  Rev.  Sereno  W.  Streeter  was  born  in  Rowe,  Dec.  10, 
1810  ;  studied  at  the  Oneida  Institute  in  Whitesborough, 
N.  Y.,  from  1830  to  1832  ;  studied  a  year  and  a  half  in  the 
Literary  Department  of  Lane  Seminary,  Cincinnati,  Ohio  ; 
studied  theology  one  year  in  Lane  Seminary,  and  two  years 
at  the  Oberlin  Institute  in  Ohio,  and  completed  his  theologi- 
cal studies  in  1836  ;  preached  about  three  years  in  Madison, 
Lake  County,  Ohio  ;  was  settled  as  pastor  in  Austinburgh,  Ash- 
tabula County,  Ohio,  in  February,  1841,  and  the  sermon  was 
preached  by  Rev.  Reuben  Tinker  of  Westfield,  N.  Y.  ;  and 
was  dismissed  from  there  in  1848  ;  was  settled  in  Henrietta, 
N.Y.,  in  1848,  and  still  continues  in  that  place.  Mr.  Streeter 
was  married  to  his  first  wife,  who  was  Miss  Mary  Williams 
of  Ware,  in  1838,  and  who  deceased  about  ten  years  since  ; 
and  was  married  to  his  second  wife,  who  was  Miss  Sarah 
J.  Willard  of  Wilton,  Me.,  in  1844.  By  his  first  wife  he 
had  a  son  and  a  daughter,  and,  by  his  second  wife,  three 
sons. 

Rev.  William  S.  Langdon,  born  in  Bethany,  Penn.,  in 
1818,  went  to  Rowe  in  1833  and  resided  there  about  three 
years  ;  became  a  Cumberland  Presbyterian  minister,  and  is 
now  a  physician,  and  an  associate  editor  of  "  The  Ladies' 
Pearl,"  in  Nashville,  Ten. 

Of  the  fow'  Congregational  preachers  reckoned  as  sons  of 
Rowe,  three  were  graduates  ;  three  were  born  in  Rowe  ;  one 
became  a  Unitarian  ;  and  three  are  now  living. 

OTHER    DENOMINATIONS. 

Baptists.  The  Baptist  church  in  Rowe  was  organized, 
July  15,  1810,  with  twenty-seven  members  ;  and,  in  1853, 
the  number  of  members  was  fifty-nine.  The  following  pas- 
tors and  preachers  have  supplied  them,  viz.,  Rev.  Samuel 
Carpenter,  Rev.  Arad  Hall,  Rev.  Edward  Davenport,  Rev. 
Nathaniel  Ripley  for   five    years,    Rev.   B.   F.   Remington, 


OV     ROVVE.  321 

Rev.  James  Burke  for  three  years,  and  Rev.  George  Carpen- 
ter since  1851. 

Methodists.  A  Methodist  class  was  formed  in  Rowe  by- 
preachers  sent  from  the  New  York  Conference  in  1800,  of 
10  or  12  members  ;  and,  by  1828,  was  increased  to  60  mem- 
bers ;  and  a  meeting-house  was  built  by  this  denomination 
in  1828.  The  following  preachers  have  supplied  this  people 
viz.,  Revs.  Elijah  Ward,  Timothy  Carpenter,  Samuel  Car- 
penter, Shadrach  Bostwick,  Peter  Van  Nest,  Michael  Coate, 
Joseph  Mitchell,  Joseph  Crawford,  Freeman  Bishop,  Elijah 
R.  Sabin,  Daniel  Ostrander,  -Daniel  Brumley,  C.  Hammond, 
J.  W.  Lewis,  William  Bordwell,  Edward  A.  Manning,  Ij.  B. 
Clarke.  They  have  no  preaching  at  present.  From  Rowe 
have  originated  the  two  following  Methodist  preachers,  viz., 
Rev.  Laban  C.  Cheney  and  Rev.  David  Todd. 

Unitarians.  The  Unitarian  church  in  Rowe  was  orig- 
inally Orthodox  ;  and  is  supposed  to  have  been  organized 
about  1774,  with  nine  members.  It  became  Unitarian  with- 
in a  half  century  past ;  and  since  then  has  had  the  following 
pastors  settled  over  it  :  Rev.  William  L.  Stearns  was  settled, 
Jan.  29,  1833,  and  was  dismissed,  Dec.  14,  1849  ;  Rev. 
Stilman  Barber  was  settled,  June  12,  1850,  and  relinquished 
his  pastoral  charge  in  1852  ;  and  Rev.  Sumner  Lincoln  now 
supplies  the  church.  Two  Unitarian  preachers  originated 
from  Rowe,  viz.,  Rev.  Festus  Foster,  who  was  a  pastor  in 
Petersham  from  Jan.  13,  1802,  to  Dec.  1,  1817,  and  who 
died  in  1846,  aged  69  ;  and  Rev.  Preserved  Smith,  Jr., 
who  was  licensed  as  Orthodox,  but  became  Unitarian,  and 
preached  in  Warwick  and  Pembroke,  and  now  resides  in 
Deerfield. 

Summary  of  preachers  originating  from  Rowe  :  Orthodox 
Congregationalists,  4 ;  Methodists,  2 ;  Unitarians,  2.  To- 
tal, 8. 


41 


322  CHURCHES    and    ministers 


SHELBURNE. 

The  territory  comprised  in  this  town  was  once  included 
in  the  township  of  Deerfield.  Previous  to  its  settlement,  it 
was  familiarly  called  the  "  Deerlield  Pasture,"  and  it  was 
then  supposed  that  the  place  was  so  mountainous,  and  the 
land  so  rocky  and  poor,  it  would  never  be  inhabited,  but 
would  enly  answer  to  furnish  pasturage  and  fuel.  After- 
wards, and  until  the  time  of  its  incorporation,  it  was  more 
generally  called  "  Deerfield  North  West."  When  it  was  incor- 
porated, June  21,  1768,  it  was  named  Shelburne,  in  honor  of 
Lord  Shelburne,  of  England,  who,  according  to  tradition, 
sent  over  a  large  and  valuable  bell  as  a  present  to  the  town 
for  its  tribute  of  respect  to  himself.  The  bell,  as  tradition 
says,  was  captured  in  Boston  by  the  British  in  the  revolu- 
tionary war,  and  never  reached  Shelburne.  The  first  two 
settlements  in  the  town  probably  were  made  near  Shelburne 
Falls,  a  little  previous  to  1756.  At  an  early  stage  of  the 
French  and  Indian  war  these  settlements  were  deserted,  and 
'w^ere  not  re-occupied  till  1760.  The  first  permanent  settle- 
ments in  the  place,  it  is  supposed,  were  commenced  in  that 
year.  The  population  of  the  town  in  1850  was  1239.  In 
this  town  have  been  organized  six  churches,  viz.,  two  Ortho- 
dox Congregational,  two  Baptist,  one  Methodist,  and  one 
Unitarian,  and  a  Universalist  society. 

CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

First  Church.  The  precise  date  of  the  organization  of 
the  first  Orthodox  Congregational  church  cannot  be  ascer- 
tained with  certainty.  There  is  some  probability  that  it  was 
formed  about  1770,  with  twelve  members.  A  few  leaves  of 
the  earliest  records  of  the  church  being  lost,  the  circumstan- 
ces of  its  origin  are  not  known.  The  existence  of  the  church 
is  recognized  in  the  town  records  as  early  as  July,  1772, 
The  first  religious  meetings  were  held  in  the  dwelling-house 


OF      SHELBURNE.  323 

of  Mr.  Daniel  Nims.  The  town  voted,  March  13,  17G9,  to 
build  the  first  Meetmg-liouse — a  log  house — which  was 
located  about  half  a  mile  north  of  the  present  Congregational 
house,  and  a  few  rods  south  of  the  location  of  the  second 
Congregational  house.  Nov.  6,  1771,  the  town  "  voted  to 
repair  the  log  meeting-house,  to  plaster  up  the  cracks  with 
mortar,  to  make  a  door,  to  obtain  three  windows,  and  to 
make  a  pulpit."  The  second  meeting-house  was  built  in 
1773,  and  was  located  about  half  a  mile  north  of  the  present 
Congregational  house,  and  was  demolished  in  1832.  This 
house  was  not  entirely  finished,  nor  was  the  steeple  built, 
nor  was  a  bell  provided  till  some  years  after  the  erection  of 
the  frame.  The  town  voted,  Feb.  2,  1786,  to  provide  a 
"  Conch  shell,''''  to  notify  people  of  the  time  of  public  wor- 
ship, and  to  hire  a  person  to  sound  it.  The  third  meeting- 
house was  built  in  1832,  and  was  located  where  the  present 
Congregational  house  stands,  and  was  accidentally  consumed 
by  fire  on  the  Sabbath,  March  9,  1845,  while  the  people 
were  assembled  for  public  worship.  The  fourth  and  present 
meeting-house  was  built  in  1845.  Revivals,  more  or  less 
extensive,  have  been  enjoyed  by  this  people  as  follows,  viz., 
one  in  1786,  and  16  were  added  to  the  church ;  one  in  1801, 
and  41  were  added  ;  one  1819,  and  46  were  added  ;  one  in 
1831,  and  80  were  added ;  one  in  1840,  and  21  were  ad- 
ded ;  and  one  in  1847,  and  10  were  added.  Councils  have 
been  called  by  the  church  for  the  settlement  of  difficulties  as 
follows,  viz.  :  one,  Oct.  10,  1780  ;  one,  Oct.  10,  1786 ;  one, 
Jan.  27,  1796  ;  one,  Aug.  8,  1796  ;  and  one,  Sept.  10,  1811. 
The  amount  contributed  by  this  church  and  people  for 
benevolent  objects  in  1853  was  $335  24.  The  number  in 
the  Sabbath  School  in  1852  was  200.  The  church  in  1853 
numbered  125. 

Among  the  ministers  who  supplied  this  church  and  people, 
when  they  had  no  settled  pastor,  were  the  following,  viz. : — 
Rev.  Robert  Abercrombie  of  Pelham,  in  1768  ;  Rev.  Mr. 
Wyeth  in  1770 ;  Rev.  Mr.  Marrett,  about  the  same  time ; 


324  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

Rev.  Jonathan  Bird  in  1771;  Rev.  Caleb  Hotchkiss  in  1772; 
all  of  whom  preached  before  the  settlement  of  the  first  pas- 
tor ;  and  between  the  pastorates  of  the  first  and  second  pas- 
tors, Rev.  H.  Dow  in  1789 ;  Rev.  Sylvester  Sage  in  1790 ; 
and  between  the  pastorates  of  the  second  and  third  pastors, 
Rev.  Micah  Stone  and  Rev.  Abraham  Barfield  an  English- 
man, in  1797.  This  chm'ch  gave  a  call  to  Mr.  Hendrick 
Dow,  July  14,  1789,  to  settle  as  pastor,  but  he  was  not 
settled.  On  the  6th  of  May,  1790,  the  church  met  in  refer- 
ence to  inviting  Mr.  Sylvester  Sage  to  settle  as  a  pastor ; 
and  22  voted  for  him  and  22  against  him.  The  church  met, 
April  2,  1798,  to  invite  Rev.  Abraham  Barfield  to  settle  as  a 
pastor,  but  concluded  to  defer  action  till  they  should  hear 
from  the  Association  respecting  his  credentials.  The  report 
of  the  Association  being  adverse  to  Mr.  Barfield,  he  was  not 
invited  to  settle. 

Ill  the  eighty-three  years  since  this  church  was  probably 
organized,  it  has  been  destitute  of  a  settled  ministry  about 
eight  years,  and  has  had  settled  pastors  about  seventy-five 
years.     This  church  has  had  four  pastors. 

Pastors.  1.*  Rev.  Robert  Hubbard  was  settled  as  the 
first  pastor  of  this  church,  Oct.  20,  1773,  and  Rev.  Enoch 
Huntington  of  Middletown,  Ct.,  preached  the  sermon,  which 
was  published  and  is  extant ;  and  after  a  ministry  of  about 
fifteen  years  in  Shelburne,  died  while  pastor  of  the  church, 
at  Middletown,  Ct.,  Nov.  2,  1788,  aged  45.  Mr.  Hubbard 
was  born  in  Middletown,  Ct.,  Sept.  11,  1743;  graduated  at 
Yale  in  1769 ;  studied  theology  with  Rev.  Enoch  Hunting- 
ton of  Middletown,  Ct.,  and  was  settled  in  no  place  except 
at  Shelburne.  "He  was  exemplary  in  his  piety,  and  as  strict 
in  the  observance  of  the  Sabbath  as  the  Puritans,  who  sailed 
in  the  Mayflower.  He  received  a  religious  education  from 
an  excellent  mother,  who  was  distinguished  for  her  benevo- 
lence and  kindness  to  the  poor."  He  died  with  pulmonary 
consumption.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Lucy  Hubbard,  Feb. 
3,  1782,  who  was  married  after  Mr.  Hubbard's  death  to  Mr. 


OF     S  H  E  L  B  U  K  N  E  .  325 

Theodore  Barnard,  and  was  deranged  many  years,,  and  died 
Nov.  6,  1823,  aged  68.  Mr.  Hubbard's  oldest  son,  Robert, 
was  a  minister,  and  died  in  Canisteo,  N.  Y.,  May  24,  1840, 
aged  57 ;  his  second  son,  Elihu,  died  July  10,  1790,  aged  5 ; 
and  his  daughter,  Mary,  died  July  4,  1808,  aged  22.  On 
Mr.  Hubbard's  gravestone  at  Middletown,  Ct.,  is  the  inscrip- 
tion, "  Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord."  On  the 
monument  erected  to  his  memory  in  Shelburne,  is  the  follow- 
ing inscription,  viz. :"  This  monument  is  erected  by  the 
town  of  Shelburne  in  memory  of  Rev.  Mr.  Robert  Hubbard, 
first  pastor  of  the  church  of  Christ  in  this  place,  who  died  at 
Middletown,  Nov.  2,  1788,  setat.  45,  much  lamented  by  his 
surviving  friends  and  the  people  of  his  charge,  who  enjoyed 
in  him  a  pattern  of  family  piety  and  order,  an  affable,  cour- 
teous neighbor,  and  in  human  view  a  zealous,  faithful  min- 
ister, who  was  an  example  in  faith,  conversation,  and  doc- 
trine."    ''Go  thou  and  do  likewise." 

2.*  Rev.  Jesse  Townsend  was  settled  as  the  second  pastor 
of  this  church,  March  21,  1792,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Seldon  of 
Chatham,  Ct.,  preached  the  sermon  ;  and  after  a  ministry  of 
about  five  years  was  dismissed,  April  12,  1797.  Mr.  Town- 
send  was  born  in  Andover,  Ct.,  in  1765  ;  graduated  at  Yale 
in  1790  ;  studied  theology  with  Rev.  Dr.  Lockwood  of  his 
native  place  ;  after  leaving  Shelburne,  he  preached  in  vari- 
ous places  in  New  York,  Illinois  and  Missouri,  and  died  of 
an*  affection  of  the  heart,  in  Palmyra,  N.  Y.,  July  14,  1838, 
aged  72. 

The  Greenfield  Gazette  of  July  16,  1798,  says :  "  Rev. 
Jesse  Townsend  was  installed  June  20,  1798,  in  New  Dur- 
ham, N.  Y.,  a  place  where  fifteen  years  ago,  no  vestiges  of 
civilized  life  were  to  be  seen,  but  which  has  now  become  a 
well  populated  village ;  and  sacred  services  were  performed 
in  a  decent  meeting-house,  and  in  the  presence  of  about  a 
thousand  spectators."  He  was  pastor  in  that  place  about 
thirteen  years.  He  preached  in  Canaan,  N.  Y. ;  then  in 
Madison,  N.  Y.,  about  five  years ;    then  had  charge  of  an 


326  CHURCHES      AND      MINISTERS 

academy  in  Utica,  N.  Y.,  one  year;  about  1816  removed  to 
Palmyra,  N.  Y.,  where  he  preached  three  years;  in  1821  re- 
moved to  Illinois,  and  preached  there  and  in  Missouri  about 
five  years ;  returned  to  Palmyra,  N.Y.,  in  1826 ;  and  preached 
in  Sodus,  N.  Y.,  four  years,  where  a  revival  of  religion  was 
enjoyed  under  his  labors;  about  1831  he  returned  to  Pal- 
myra, N.  Y.,  where  he  lived  till  his  death,  supplying  vacant 
churches  in  the  vicinity. 

The  following  obituary  notice  of  him  was  published  in 
the  New  York  Observer  and  Evangelist: — "As  a  pastor,  he 
was  most  faithful  and  aifectionate,  and  unwearied  in  his 
efforts  for  the  salvation  of  his  people.  His  views  of  theol- 
ogy were  always  clear,  and  though  he  belonged  to  the  old 
school  of  New  England  divines,,  there  was  always  a  readi- 
ness on  his  part  to  favor  such  measures  of  the  day,  whether 
new  or  old,  as  were  instrumental  in  the  salvation  of  souls. 

"  During  the  whole  course  of  his  ministry,  it  can  scarcely 
be  said  that  he  had  an  idle  hour.  He  was  proverbially  an 
early  riser,  and  in  this  secured  much  valuable  time  for  his 
study  and  his  pen.  It  may  be  to  this  habit,  under  God,  that 
we  are  to  ascribe  his  uniform  good  health,  even  to  the  last 
years  of  his  life.  Beside  his  parochial  duties,  he  has,  it  is 
believed,  at  all  times,  had  young  men  under  his  tuition  pur- 
suing their  studies  preparatory  for  college.  Of  these,  the 
greater  part  have  entered  the  ministry  ;  and  while  some  have 
gone  to  their  rest,  others  are  still  laboring  in  this  and  pagan 
lands  in  the  service  of  their  Master.  Amid  all  the  varied 
occupations  which  engaged  his  attention,  he  found  time  also 
to  write  an  abridgment  of  Milner's  Church  History,  which 
has  been  extensively  and  favorably  known. 

"  In  1816  he  removed  to  Palmyra,  and  after  a  residence  of 
four  years,  he  again  removed  with  his  family  and  settled  in 
the  State  of  Illinois.  Here  he  also  continued  his  labors,  and 
accepted  a  commission  from  the  American  Home  Missionary 
Society,  which  he  discharged  with  great  fidelity,  devoting 
part  of  his  time  to  Illinois  and  part  to  Missouri.  He  was,  it 
is  believed,  the  first  Presbyterian  clergyman  resident  in  those 


OF      SHELBURNE.  327 

States.  After  a  few  years'  residence,  he  returned  to  Palmyra, 
since  which  time,  though  he  has  not  been  settled  over  any 
congregation,  he  has  most  of  the  time  had  a  stated  charge, 
and  continued  his  labors  until  near  his  death. 

"  In  this  afflictive  bereavement,  judgment  and  mercy  have 
met  together.  His  painful  and  somewhat  protracted  illness 
was  borne  with  patience  and  resignation.  Many  and  precious 
were  the  testimonies  which  fell  from  his  lips,  alike  honor- 
able to  religion,  and  expressive  of  his  confidence  in  God.  It 
was  affecting  to  witness  his  frequent  renunciation  of  himself 
and  of  his  own  righteousness.  Jesus  Christ  crucified  was  all 
his  hope  and  all  his  salvation.  Well  is  it  remembered  with 
what  tones  of  interest  he  said,  '  Pray  for  me,  that  I  may  have 
a  clear  and  comprehensive  and  gospel  view  of  the  character  of 
Christ.''  At  another  time  he  was  heard  to  say,  while  pray- 
ing for  himself,  '  O  Lord,  keep  me  from  placing  any  depend- 
ence in  anything  but  the  riches  of  thy  grace  manifested  in 
Jesus  Christ.' 

"His  feelings  in  prospect  of  death  were  marked  by  all  the 
submission  and  hope  which  his  previous  life  would  be  likely 
to  inspire.  Never  a  word  of  distrust,  or  doubt,  or  complaint, 
is  known  to  have  escaped  his  lips.  He  longed  to  depart. 
'  Hitherto,'  said  he,  •  I  have  seemed  to  draw  back,  but  not  so 
in  this  sickness  :  /  cari  now  go  promptly  forward^  triisting  in 
the  precious  Saviour P  At  times  he  seemed  to  be  in  haste  to 
begone.  'My  soul,'  he  would  say,  'lingers  about  these 
mortal  shores,  and  makes  a  long  delay.'  Early  in  the  morn- 
ing of  the  day  when  his  happy  spirit  took  its  flight,  in  lan- 
guage almost  prophetic  of  his  speedy  removal,  he  repeatedly 
exclaimed,  '  The  day  breaketh,  let  me  depart ;  the  day  break- 
eth,  let  me  depart.'  The  last  words  he  was  heard  to  utter 
were,  'Jesus  has  washed  my  sins  away.'  Thus  he  lived, 
and  thus  he  died." 

"  The  gospel  was  his  joy  and  song 
E'en  to  his  latest  breath ; 
The  truth  he  had  proclaimed  so  long, 
Was  his  support  in  death." 


328  CHURCHES      AND      MINISTERS 

Mr.  Townsend  had  tliree  sons  and  one  daughter,  all  of 
whom  are  living. 

3.  Rev.  Theophilus  Packard,  D.  D.,  was  settled  as  the 
third  pastor  of  this  church,  Feh.  20,  1799,  and  Rev.  John 
Emerson  of  Conway  preached  the  sermon  ;  arid  his  nominal 
relation  as  pastor  of  the  church  has  continued  to  the  present 
time,  a  period  of  about  fifty-five  years,  though  he  ceased  to 
perform  official  duties  as  a  pastor,  Feb.  20,  1842,  and  since 
1846  has  resided  "in  South  Deerfield.  He  was  born  in  North 
Bridgewater,  March  4,  1769,  and  at  the  age  of  five  years 
removed  to  Cummington  ;  graduated  at  Dartmouth  in  1796 ; 
studied  theology  with  Rev.  Dr.  Asa  Burton  of  Thetford,  Yt. 
He  has  published  several  occasional  sermons.  ,  He  received 
his  doctorate  from  Dartmouth  College.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Williams  College  from  1810  to 
1825  ;  and  one  of  the  overseers  of  the  Charity  Fund  of  Am- 
herst College  from  1821  to  1835,  and  has  been  one  of  the 
Trustees  from  1832  to  this  time.  He  represented  the  town 
of  Shelburne  in  the  Legislature  of  Massachusetts  in  1830  and 
in  1839.  He  married  Miss  Mary  Tirrill  of  Abington,  Feb. 
9,  1800.  He  has  had  eight  children,  two  sons  and  iiOBBSt 
daughters,  five  of  whom  are  living.  His  oldest  son  was 
settled  as  colleague  pastor  with  him,  March  12,  1828. 

He  is  the  fourth  gerteration  from  Samuel  Packard,  who 
was  the  progenitor  of  the  Packards  in  this  country. 
Mitchell's  Genealogical  History  of  Bridgewater  says  :  "  Sam- 
uel Packard  and  his  wife  and  child  came  from  Windham, 
near  Hingham,  in  England,  in  the  ship  called  '  The  Diligent 
of  Ipswich,  133  passengers,  John  Martin,  master,'  and  settled 
in  Hingham  in  1638  ;  he  thence  came  to  West  Bridgewater, 
and  died  about  1684.  In  the  early  records  both  at  Hingham 
and  Bridgewater  the  name  is  written  Packer,  and  was  here 
formerly  invariably  pronounced  so.  The  name  on  the  town 
records  was  also  sometimes  written  Peckar,  Pecker,  Peckard, 
and  Peckerd,  but  by  the  family  has  been  generally  written 
Packard." 


or     SHELBURNE. 


329 


111  the  early  part  of  his  ministry,  when  Academies  were 
few,  he  instructed  students  in  his  family,  and  prepared  quite 
a  number  for  college.  The  following  is  a  list  of  thirty-one 
students  whom  he  instructed  in  theolo^y^  and  who  became 
preachers  of  the  gospel.  Their  names  are  arranged  in  the 
order  of  time  in  which  they  lived  anS  studied  with  him  : — 


*  Freeman  Sears, 

in  1805, 

Noah  Cressy, 

"  180G, 

*John  Alexander, 

«  1807, 

Urbane  Hitchcock, 

"  1808, 

A.  Chandler,  D.D., 

"  1808, 

*Robert  Hubbard, 

"  1809, 

Ira  M.  Olds, 

"  1809, 

*Jepthah  Pool, 

»  1809, 

Rufus  Pomeroy, 

"  1809, 

Byram  Green, 

"  1810, 

•*Ezra  Fisk,  D.  D., 

"  1810, 

*Lyman  Barrett, 

"  1810, 

William  B.  Stowe, 

"  1812, 

*01iver  Plympton, 

"  1813, 

Samuel  Parker, 

"  1813, 

*James  Jewell, 

"  1813, 

William  Goodell, 

"  1813, 

Roswell  Hawks, 

"  1813, 

*Asa  Brooks, 

"  1814, 

*Pliny  Fisk, 

«  181.5, 

Caleb  Clark, 

"  1815, 

Nathaniel  Latham, 

"  18 IG, 

Luke  Bowen, 

"  181G, 

*Stalham  Clary, 

"  1823, 

Hiram  Smith, 

"  1823, 

T.  Packard,  Jr., 

"  1823, 

Horatio  Flaofg, 

"  1826, 

Moses  Bradford, 

"  1826, 

John  Eastman, 

"  1833, 

Josiah  D.  Crosby 

"  1833, 

Erastus  Dickinson, 

"  1834, 

died  in  Natick,  June  30,  1811,  32. 

was  living  in  Portland,  Me.,  in  1853. 

died  in  Groton,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  28,  1830,  65. 

was  living  in  Ware  in  1853. 

a  pastor  in  Greenfield  in  1853. 

died  in  Canisteo,  N.  Y.,  May  24,  1840,  57. 

was  living  in  South  Lyon,  Mich.,  in  1853. 

died  in  Troy,  O.,  March,  1844. 

was  living  in  Otis  in  1853. 

was  living  in  Sodus,  N.  Y.,  in  1853. 

died  in  Phil.,  Pa.,  Dec.  5,  1833,  49, 

died  in  Greenfield,  O.,  Sept.  13,  1842,  62. 

was  living  in  Ridgefield  Corners,  O.,  in  1853. 

died  in  Peru,  Vt.,  May  25,  1814. 

was  living  in  Ithaca,  N.  Y.,  in  1853. 

died  in  West  Durham,  N.  Y.,  in  1825. 

was  living  in  Elmira,  N.  Y.,  in  1853. 

was  living  in  South  Hadley,  in  1853. 

died  in  Clarksburg,  Va.,  Dec.  1834. 

died  in  Beyroot,  Asia,  Oct.  23,  1825,  33, 

was  living  in  Truxton,  N.  Y.,  in  1853- 

Avas  in  Troy,  O.,  in  1849. 

was  in  Strongsville,  O.,  in  1853. 

died  in  Hopewell,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  25,  1831,  49- 

was  living  in  Castalia,  O.,  in  1853. 

in  Shelburne  in  1853. 

was  living  in  Coleraine  in  1853. 

a  pastor  in  Grafton,  Vt.,  in  1853. 

a  pastor  in  W.  Hawley  in  1853. 

was  in  Ashburnham  in  1852. 

a  pastor  in  Colchester,  Ct.,  in  1853. 


The   fiftieth  anniversary  of  his  ordination  in   Shelburne 
was  publicly  celebrated  in  the  place,  Feb.  20,  1849.     The 
sermon  preached  on  the  occasion  was  published. 
42 


330 


CHURCHES      AND     MINISTERS 


4.  Rev.  Theophilus  Packard,  Jr.,  was  ordained  as  the 
fourth  pastor  of  this  church  and  as  associate  pastor  with  his 
father,  March  12,  1828,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Heman  Humphrey, 
then  President  of  Amherst  College,  preached  the  sermon  on 
the  occasion.  His  ministry  in  Shelburne  was  nearly  twenty- 
six  years.  He  was,  at  his  request,  dismissed  from  there, 
Dec.  6,  1853.  He  was  born  in  Shelburne,  Feb.  1,  1802, 
the  son  of  Rev.  Dr.  Theophilus  Packard  ;  studied  two  years 
at  Williams'  College,  and  graduated  at  Amherst  in  1823  ; 
studied  theology  with  his  father,  and  in  1824-5  at  Prince- 
ton, N.  J. ;  and  was  licensed  by  Franklin  Association,  Oct. 
3,  1826.  Previous  to  his  settlement  in  Shelburne  he 
preached  for  short  periods  in  West  Hawley,  Bernardston, 
Greenfield  2d  Parish,  Gill,  Wilmington,  Vt.,  Florida,  and 
two  months  in  1827  in  the  service  of  the  Massachusetts 
Home  Missionary  Society  in  Tisbury  on  Martha's  Vineyard. 
While  a  settled  pastor  in  Shelburne,  he  supplied,  in  con- 
nection with  his  father,  vacant  churches  in  the  vicinity  for 
about  thirteen  years  from  1828.  They  preached  alternately 
more  or  less  in  the  following  places,  viz.,  Bernardston,  West 
Hawley,  Greenfield,  1st  and  2d  parishes,  Goshen,  Erving, 
Orange,  Whately,  Conway,  South  Deerfield,  Plainfield,  Cole- 
raine,  Cummington,  Charlemont.  From  December,  1833,  to 
June,  1834,  he  officiated  as  Secretary  and  Chaplain  of  the 
Boston  Seamen's  Friend  Society :  and  for  two  months  in 
1834  supplied  Rev.  Dr.  Codman's  church  in  Dorchester, 
during  his  absence  in  Europe. 

Since  his  dismission  from  Shelburne,  he  has  supplied  the 
Congregational  church  at  Shelburne  Falls. 

The  church  and  society  in  Shelburne  have  been  supplied 
a  part  of  the  time  since  the  dismission  of  their  last  pastor  by 
Mr.  Joseph  B.  Johnson  of  Boston,  whom  they  invited  in 
March,  1854,  to  settle  as  their  pastor ;  but  he  declined  the 
invitation. 

Of  the  four  pastors  of  this  church  two  were  dismissed  ; 


OF     SHELBURNE.  331 

two  are  living  ;  and  the  average  length  of  their  ministry  in 
Shelbiirne  was  about  nineteen  years. 

Second  Church.  The  second  Orthodox  Congregational 
church  in  this  town  was  organized  at  Shelburne  Falls,  March 
6,  1850,  with  44  members.  The  first  and  present  Meeting- 
house of  this  people  was  dedicated  on  the  day  of  the  ordina- 
tion of  their  first  pastor,  Feb.  19,  1851.  This  people  main- 
tained public  worship  by  themselves  for  some  months  pre- 
vious to  the  formation  of  their  church,  and  occupied  a  hall 
for  this  purpose.  Rev.  Marshal  B.  Angier  supplied  them 
for  a  short  time  ;  and  Rev.  George  F.  Bronson  then  supplied 
them,  and  was  soon  ordained  as  their  pastor.  The  amount 
raised  by  this  people  for  objects  of  benevolence  in  1853  was 
,^11'^  79.  The  number  in  the  Sabbath  School  in  1852  was 
150.  The  church  in  1853  numbered  77.  This  church  has 
been  organized  nearly  four  years,  and  has  been  supplied  with 
a  settled  pastor  nearly  three  years.  This  church  has  had 
but  one  pastor. 

Pastor.  Rev.  George  F.  Bronson  was  ordained  as  the 
first  pastor  of  this  church,  Feb.  19,  1851,  and  Rev.  Dr. 
Edward  Hitchcock,  President  of  Amherst  College,  preached 
the  sermon  ;  and  after  a  ministry  of  about  two  years  and  nine 
months  at  Shelburne  Falls,  was  dismissed,  Nov.  8,  1853. 
Mr.  Bronson  was  born  in  Middlebury,  Ct.,  Jan.  21,  1821  :  in 
preparing  for  the  ministry  studied  at  Phillips  Academy,  An- 
dover ;  never  graduated  at  any  college  ;  studied  theology  at 
East  Windsor  Hill,  and  finished  his  course  there  in  1849 ; 
was  licensed  by  Hampden  Association  in  1848  ;  preached  a 
short  time  at  Bolton,  Ct.  ;  and  then  began  to  supply  at  Shel- 
burne Falls.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Charlotte  M.  Holt  of 
Andover,  Sept.  30,  1850.  Mr.  Bronson  is  at  present  residing 
at  Waterbury,  Ct. 

Since  the  dismission  of  Mr.  Bronson,  the  church  has  been 
supplied  by  Rev.  T.  Packard,  Jr. 


332  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 


CONGREGATIONAL    PREACHERS     ORIGINATING     FROM     SHELBURNE. 

1.  Rev.  Amariah  Cliandler,  D.  D.,  was  bom  in  Deer- 
field,  Oct.  27,  1782,  and  at  about  five  years  of  age  removed 
to  Shelburne.  For  a  furtber  notice  of  him,  see  the  account 
of  the  pastors  of  the  first  Congregational  church  in  Greenfield. 

2.  Rev.  Riifiis  Cliilds,  the  son  of  Dea.  Israel  Childs,  was 
born-in  Shelburne,  April  28,  1819  ;  at  about  eight  years  of 
age  removed  to  Waitsfield,  Vt. ;  never  graduated  at  any  col- 
lege, but  pursued  classical  and  preparatory  studies  at  the 
academies  in  Jericho,  Yt.,  Montpelier,  Yt.,  Randolph,  Yt.,  and 
Deerfield,  Mass. ;  finished  the  regular  course  of  theological 
study  at  the  seminary  in  Gilmanton,  N.  H.,  in  1844;  like- 
wise spent  half  a  year  with  Rev.  Joel  Fisk,  then  of  Essex, 
N.  Y.,  in  theological  studies ;  was  licensed  at  Montpelier, 
Yt.,  in  January,  1844 ;  and  was  ordained  as  pastor  of  the 
church  at  Gilmanton  Iron  Works,  N.  H.,  Nov.  6,  1844,  and 
the  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Dr.  William  Coggswell. 
Mr.  Childs  was  married  to  Miss  Pamelia  Hobart,  daughter  of 
Rev.  James  Hobart  of  Berlin,  Yt.,  in  October,  1844.  He 
still  continues  pastor  at  Gilmanton,  N.  H. 

3.  Rev.  Daniel  T.  Fisk  was  born  in  Slielburne,  March 
29,  1819;  is  the  son  of  Dea.  Ebenezer  Fisk,  and  nephew  of 
R.ev.  Pliny  Fisk,  missionary  to  Palestine  ;  graduated  at  Am- 
herst in  1842 ;  finished  the  regular  course  of  theological 
study  at  Andover  in  1846 ;  was  licensed  by  the  Andover 
Association,  April  7,  1846  ;  was  a  resident  licentiate  at  An- 
dover about  one  year;  supplied  in  Exeter,  N.  H.,  St.  Johns- 
bury,  Yt.,  and  Williamsburg ;  was  ordained  as  pastor  at  (Bell- 
ville,)  Newburyport,  Aug.  18,  1847,  and  the  late  Professor 
Bela  B.  Edwards,  D.  D.,  preached  the  sermon.  Mr.  Fisk 
still  remains  a  pastor  in  that  place. 

4.*  Rev.  Ezra  Fisk,  D.  D.,  was  born  in  Shelburne,  Jan. 
10,  1785,  and  was  the  son  of  Simeon  Fisk,  and  a  cousin  of 
Rev.  Pliny  Fisk.     He  died  in  Philadelphia,  Penn.,  Dec.  5, 


OF     SHELBURNE.  333 

1833,  aged  nearly  49.  Rev.  Dr.  Ashbel  Green  read  a  bio- 
graphical account  of  him  at  his  funeral,  in  the  lecture  room 
of  the  second  Presbyterian  church  in  that  city,  from  Avhich 
the  following  extracts  are  taken  : — 

"  The  Rev.  Dr.  Ezra  Fisk,  whose  mortal  remains  are  now 
before  us,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Shelburne,  State  of  Mas- 
sachusetts, in  January,  1785 ;  and  in  Williams  College,  in  the 
same  State,  he  received  his  academic  education.  He  was 
graduated  in  1809 ;  having  been,  during  his  college  course, 
one  of  the  little  band  of  pious  youths,  that  met  frequently 
for  prayer,  with  a  special  reference  to  evangelical  missions ; 
and  of  which  the  well  known  and  much  lamented  Mills  and 
Richards  were  leading  members.  His  classical  studies  pre- 
viously to  his  entering  college,  and  his  theological  studies 
afterwards,  were  prosecuted  under  the  Rev.  Dr.  Packard,  the 
pastor  of  a  Congregational  church  in  the  town  of  his  nativ- 
ity, and  for  whom  he  ever  retained  the  greatest  love  and 
veneration,  as  the  man  whose  early  instructions  had  imbued 
his  mind  with  those  principles,  and  given  him  those  views, 
which  had  effectually  preserved  him  from  the  pernicious 
errors  in  philosophy  and  theology,  which  have  recently  ob- 
tained a  lamentable  currency.  Having  preached  as  a  licen- 
tiate for  about  a  year,  he  was  ordained  as  an  Evangelist  in 
1810.  His  labors  in  this  character  were  principally  per- 
formed among  the  numerous  destitute  congregations  then  in 
the  State  of  Georgia;  and  here,  in  March,  1812,  he  entered 
into  the  marriage  relation  with  a  daughter  of  the  venerable 
Dr.  Francis  Cummins.  In  the  autumn  of  the  same  year, 
though  debilitated  by  his  residence  and  labors  in  the  south, 
he  preached  as  a  missionary  for  some  months  in  this  city. 
In  August,  1813,  he  was  permanently  settled  in  the  minis- 
try, at  Goshen,  in  the  State  of  New  York ;  so  that  he  ap- 
pears to  have  sustained  the  pastoral  relation  to  his  beloved 
people  a  little  more  than  twenty  years.  An  atlection  of  the 
lungs  compelled  him  to  intermit  the  greater  part  of  his  min- 
isterial duties  in  the  autumn  of  1832,  and  to  seek  relief  by  a 


334  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

winter's  residence  in  the  more  genial  climate  of  Georgia. 
Daring  his  absence,  he  unexpectedly  received  the  appoint- 
ment of  Corresponding  Secretary  and  General  Agent  of  the 
Board  of  Missions  of  the  General  Assembly ;  which  on  his 
return  he  declined  to  accept,  under  a  conviction  that  his 
health  was  not  such  as  would  enable  him  to  endure  the 
labors,  hardships,  and  exposures  of  the  appointment.  He 
was  recommended  in  May  last,  by  the  Directors  of  the  West- 
ern Theological  Seminary,  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  for  the  appointment  of  Professor  of 
Ecclesiastical  History  and  Church  Government  in  that  sem- 
inary. After  his  election  to  the  designated  professorship  by 
vote  of  the  General  Assembly,  he  visited  the  seminary  at 
Alleghany  town,  and  having  inspected  its  state  and  prospects, 
he  accepted  the  ])rofessorship  assigned  him.  His  separation 
from  the  beloved  people  of  his  pastoral  charge  was,  both  to 
them  and  to  himself,  a  most  trying  occasion.  His  farewell 
sermon  to  his  brethren  of  the  Presbytery,  of  which  he  was  a 
member,  is  published,  and  remains  to  them  and  the  attached 
people  of  the  congregation  that  he  left,  a  memorial  of  his 
affection,  and  the  depository  of  his  vv/'ise  counsels.  On  his 
way  to  Pittsburg,  he  arrived  with  his  wife  in  this  city  on 
Saturday,  the  2nd  of  November  last.  The  evening  of  the 
next  day,  the  Sabbath,  he  preached  his  last  sermon  in  the 
lecture  room  where  we  are  now  assembled.  His  text  was 
Col.  i.  12,  "  Giving  thanks  unto  the  Father,  which  hath 
made  us  meet  to  be  partakers  of  the  inheritance  of  the  saints 
in  light."  From  these  words,  while  addressing  his  christian 
brethren,  he  undesignedly  drew  his  own  character,  and  de- 
scribed the  blood-bought  inheritance  of  his  Redeemer,  of 
which  in  a  few  days  he  was  to  be  a  glorified  partaker.  *  *  * 
A  heavenly  composure  or  serenity  of  soul  was  vouchsafed 
him  during  the  whole  of  his  illness.  Nor  did  it  in  any  de- 
gree abate,  when  he  knew  that  he  was  dying ;  and  it  left 
imprinted  on  his  features,  after  his  spirit  had  fled  from  its 
earthly  abode,   such  a  sweetness  of  expression,  as  I  have 


OF     SHELBURNE.  335 

never  seen  in  any  other  countenance  after  death.     For  him 
the  king  of  terrors  had  no  terror.  *  *  * 

"  The  intellectual  powers  of  Dr.  Fisk  were  of  the  solid 
more  than  of  the  brilliant  kind.  His  imagination  was  not 
the  distinguishing  faculty  of  his  mind.  His  imagination 
was  by  no  means  barren — it  was  fertile  ;  but  its  fertility  was 
that  of  thought,  and  not  that  of  poetic  images  and  rhetorical 
figures.  His  mind  was  vigorous,  penetrating,  discriminating 
and  judicious.  This  was  its  character.  He  saw  truth  with 
a  quickness,  perspicacity  and  depth,  that  was  uncommon  ; 
and  hence  he  could  separate  and  disentangle  it  from  error, 
with  a  readiness  and  accuracy  that  few  possess.  His  aflec- 
tions  were  tender  and  strong,  but  not  violent.  *  *  *  Mod- 
esty and  humility  were  ever  distinguishing  features  of  his 
character.  His  integrity  was  of  the  most  unsullied  and 
unbending  kind.  He  had  doubtless  adopted  the  resolution 
of  Job,  'My  heart  shall  not  reproach  me  so  long  as  I  live.' 
Hence  it  was,  that  he  acquired  the  high  estimation  which  he 
held  in  the  minds  of  all  honorable  men  who  knew  him,  and 
enjoyed  the  peculiar  confidence  of  his  brethren  in  the  min- 
istry. He  was  a  man,  whom  all  who  were  acquainted  with 
him  intimately,  knew  where  they  would  find  him  on  every 
question,  in  which  truth  and  consistency  of  character  and 
profession  were  concerned.  It  was  his  integrity,  prudence, 
discretion  and  firmness,  mingled  with  a  mildness  of  manner, 
and  so  far  as  duty  would  permit,  a  spirit  of  accommodation 
and  conciliation,  which  gave  him  the  extensive  influence 
that  he  confessedly  possessed.  His  literary  attainments  were 
highly  respectable.  Of  the  original  languages  of  the  Sacred 
Scriptures,  he  had  acquired  a  better  knowledge  and  a  greater 
familiarity,  than  is  possessed  by  most  of  the  clergy  of  our 
country.  He  loved  science  in  almost  all  its  departments  ; 
and  in  some  not  often  cultivated,  he  made  a  desirable  pro- 
gress. In  mental  philosophy  I  do  not  know  his  superior  in 
the  church  to  which  he  belonged.  He  loved  this  study.  It 
accorded  with  that  close  and  discriminating  investigation  to 


336  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

which  his  faculties  were  adapted,  and  in  which  he  delighted. 
His  was  the  true  Baconian  system  of  philosophy,  applied  to 
the  mind — a  system  in  which  facts  and  fair  inductions  from 
facts  stand  for  everything,  and  hypotheses  and  fanciful 
speculations  stand  for  nothing.  Such  alone  was  the  philos- 
ophy which  had  charms  for  our  departed  friend.  He  con- 
sidered a  plain  declaration  of  the  word  of  God  as  establish- 
ing a  fact,  to  which  all  speculation  was  implicitly  to  bow  and 
submit,  and  not  to  busy  itself  in  perverting,  disguising,  or 
endeavoring  to  explain  away  the  announced  fact — a  fact 
resting  on  the  declaration  of  Him  who  cannot  err.  His 
theology  was  that  of  the  Protestant  Reformation,  as  embod- 
ied in  the  doctrinal  standards  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  In 
every  department  of  his  theology  he  was  an  adept.  He  had 
carefully  examined  its  foundations  and  all  its  bearings.  And 
he  was  prepared  to  defend  and  maintain  the  system  on  the 
ground  both  of  reason  and  scripture.  The  piety '  of  Dr. 
Fisk  was  truly  eminent.  It  Avas  not  a  flighty  and  fluctuat- 
ing principle  in  his  mind  or  in  his  life.  It  was  a  deep,  solid, 
consistent,  tender  and  well  considered  principle,  influencing 
his  judgment  and  his  afl'ections,  more  than  his  imagination, 
and  it  was  carried  out  into  all  his  connexions  and  intercourse 
with  the  world,  directing  and  animating  him  in  every  duty. 
*  *  *  As  a  preacher,  our  deceased  brother  was  in  a  high 
degree  impressive.  He  sometimes  held  his  audience  in  al- 
most breathless  silence,  and  very  often  melted  them  into 
tears ;  yet  his,  in  general,  was  not  that  showy  eloquence  in 
which  many  delight,  and  consider  as  the  charm  of  pulpit 
addresses.  His  manner  indeed  was  always  free  and  dignified, 
and  solemn  and  atfectionate.  But  his  preaching  was  pecul- 
iarly doctrinal  and  instructive ;  followed  in  almost  every 
sermon  with  close  application,  and  sometimes  with  strong 
appeals  to  the  conscience  and  the  heart.  He  was  abundant 
in  pulpit  labors.  *  *  *  His  preaching  was  eminently  blessed. 
Few  ministers  of  the  gospel  have  had  more  seals  to  their 
ministry  than  he.     At  one  period  he  had  a  revival  of  relig- 


OF      SHELBURNE.  337 

ion,  which  continued  with  very  little  fluctuation  for  more 
than  four  years.  A  most  remarkable  revival,  of  which  he 
gave  me  personally  an  account,  took  place  among  the  people 
of  his  pastoral  charge,  not  long  before  he  was  attacked  by 
the  pulmonary  complaint,  which  entirely  silenced  him  for  a 
time,  and  from  which  he  sought  and  found  relief  in  the 
journey  to  the  South,  from  which  he  returned  but  a  few 
months  since.  The  preaching  and  pastoral  services  of  Dr. 
Fisk  falsify  completely  the  wild  notion  of  those,  who  think 
that  there  must  be  a  resort  to  new  measures  and  a  new  mode 
of  preaching,  if  a  minister  is  to  expect  a  revival  of  religion 
among  his  people.  He  adopted  no  new  measures  ;  he  dis- 
approved of  them  entirely.  He  used  no  new  modes  of 
preaching.  He  preached,  as  I  have  stated,  in  the  old  fash- 
ioned way,  and  in  maintenance  of  old  fashioned  doctrines — 
the  doctrines  taught  in  the  Confession  of  Faith  and  Cate- 
chisms of  our  church.  To  these  he  steadfastly  adhered  ; 
these  he  lucidly  explained  and  powerfully  enforced  ;  and 
these  the  Lord  blessed  to  bring  into  his  church,  not  hastily, 
but  after  time  to  examine  and  prove  them,  such  a  number 
of  hopeful  converts  as  are  seldom  seen  to  crown  the  most 
faithful  labors  in  the  service  of  Him  whose  blessing  alone 
gives  the  success.  I  have  been  credibly  informed,  that  when 
Dr.  Fisk  settled  in  the  congregation  of  Goshen,  the  commu- 
nicating members  of  his  church  were  in  numbers  between 
ninety  and  a  hundred,  and  that  when  he  left  them,  they 
exceeded  five  hundred  ;  besides  more  than  two  hundred  who 
had  been  dismissed  to  join  other  churches,  or  had  been  re- 
moved by  death." 

The  following  extracts  are  from  an  obituary  notice  of  him, 
published  in  a  paper  in  Goshen,  N.  Y.  :  "  Dr.  Fisk  possessed 
a  clear,  vigorous  and  comprehensive  mind.  Without  cul- 
ture it  would  have  been  remarkable  for  its  acumen,  strength 
and  power.  It  was,  however,  when  its  capacities  were  ex- 
panded by  the  discipline  and  nurture  of  the  schools,  that  it 
shone  in  its  brightest  splendor.  There  may  have  been,  and 
43 


338  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

doubtless  were,  riper  scholars — many  who  had  drank  deeper 
from  the  wells  of  science ;  instances  are  rare  in  which  a 
human  mind  so  judiciously  and  accurately  appropriated  to 
itself  the  measure  of  knowledge  accumulated.  *  *  *  In 
his  pulpit  discourses  Dr.  Fisk  followed  no  particular  sys- 
tem closely.  He  would  address  indiscriminately  the  under- 
standing and  the  feelings,  the  reason  and  the  passions  of 
men.  His  sermons,  however,  in  most  instances,  were 
strictly  practical,  and  nicely  adapted  to  the  varied  capacities 
of  his  hearers.  With  the  force  and  energy  of  a  disciplined 
mind  he  would  first  assault  the  citadel  of  their  understand- 
ings, and  then,  sensible  that  logical  deduction  and  acute 
reasoning  were  singly  inadequate  to  move  the  hearts  and 
consciences  of  many,  condudp,  in  imitation  of  the  French 
School  of  Divinity,  by  affecting  the  passions,  and  melting 
into  contrition  and  penitence  the  flinty  heart.  *  *  *  For 
twenty  years  he  resided  in  the  midst  of  us  without  un- 
necessarily giving  off'ence  to  any,  and  departed  for  a  new 
sphere  of  usefulness,  accompanied  by  the  universal  regret  of 
the  church  and  community.  And  how  could  it  be  other- 
wise ?  To  a  dignity  and  nobleness  of  manner  and  deport- 
ment, he  added  a  mildness  and  sweetness  of  temper,  and 
benignity  of  heart,  irresistibly  fascinating.  In  imitation  of 
his  heavenly  Master,  while  on  earth,  "he  went  about  doing 
good."  His  sincerity  no  one  ever  had  cause  to  doubt ;  and 
his  deep,  fervent  piety  was  indelibly  impressed  on  his  life 
and  conversation.  In  the  prime  of  life  ;  in  the  midst  of 
honors  and  usefulness  ;  in  the  full  enjoyment  of  the  confi- 
dence of  the  church,  to  which  he  was  zealously  attached, 
he  has  been  called  to  wrestle  with  the  last  great  enemy, 
death." 

From  another  obituary  account  of  him,  the  following  ex- 
tracts are  taken  :  "  He  expressed  at  all  times  an  entire  resig- 
nation to  the  will  of  God,  whatever  the  event  of  his  sick- 
ness might  be  ;  and  felt  no  reluctance  at  dying,  but  what 
arose  from  the  lonely  situation  in  which  his  beloved  wife 


OF     SHELBURNE.  339 

would  be  left.  Frequently  he  said :  "  O,  how  sweet  to  be 
with  Jesus !"  and  when  questioned  on  the  subject,  said  re- 
peatedly, that  he  was  perfectly  happy  in  the  state  of  his 
mind,  and  had  not  a  doubt  of  his  acceptance  with  God 
through  Jesus  Christ.  *  *  *  He  died,  as  he  had  lived,  a 
calm,  firm,  humble  believer  in  the  precious  gospel." 

Rev.  Dr.  W.  D.  Snodgrass,  his  successor  at  Goshen,  N.  Y., 
says  of  him,  in  a  letter  to  the  author :  ''He  was  regarded 
here  as  an  eminently  pious,  discreet  and  faithful  pastor. 
There  were  added  to  the  church  during  his  pastorate  539 
members,  including  the  fruits  of  two  interesting  revivals. 
And  during  the  same  period  829  adults  and  infants  were 
baptized."  Mr.  John  S.  Crane,  a  trustee  of  his  church,  says 
of  him :  "  He  was  a  faithful,  laborious  and  useful  pastor. 
He  was  the  instrument  in  saving  a  large  number  of  souls  ; 
and  was  universally  beloved," 

Rev.  Dr.  Archibald  Alexander,  late  Professor  in  the  Theo- 
logical Seminary  at  Princeton,  N.  J.,  once  related  the  follow- 
ing anecdote  in  reference  to  Dr.  Fisk  :  "In  attending 
Commencement  at  Dartmouth  College,  in  1801,  I  became 
acquainted  with  Rev.  Dr.  Packard  of  Shelburne,  Mass.  ;  and 
in  travelling  with  him  on  horseback  down  the  Connecticut 
river,  my  horse  becoming  lame,  he  invited  me  to  go  and  spend 
a  few  weeks  with  him  in  his  parish,  so  that  my  horse  might 
recruit.  I  did  so.  During  my  stay  in  Shelburne  there  was 
an  interesting  work  of  grace.  Many  of  the  children  and 
youth  were  subjects  of  the  work.  As  Dr.  Packard  and  my- 
self were  one  morning  walking  along  by  a  house,  he  said 
to  me  :  "  There,  I  wish  you  would  go  and  talk  with  that 
chunk  of  a  boy,  who  stands  by  the  fence  yonder."  I  did 
so,  as  faithfully  as  I  could.  I  of  course  did  not  suppose  that 
I  should  see  or  hear  of  the  boy  again.  Some  years  ago,  a 
stranger  passed  through  Princeton,  and  called  at  my  study. 
He  said:  "You  are  Dr.  Alexander — do  you  remember  that 
you  spent  a  few  weeks  in  Shelburne,  Mass.,  many  years 
ago  ?"    "  I  do,"  said  I.    "  Do  you  remember  that  Dr.  Packard 


340 


CHURCHES    'AND     MINISTERS 


asked  you  one  morning  to  talk  with  a  chunk  of  a  boy,  that 
stood  by  the  fence  ?"  "  Why,"  said  I,  "  the  circumstance 
had  long  been  forgotten,  but  I  now  recall  it  to  mind."  He 
then  said :  "  That  chunk  of  a  boy  was  myself.  The  words 
which  you  spake  to  me  were  blessed  to  my  spiritual  good. 
I  date  my  conversion  back  to  that  time.  My  name  is  Ezra 
Fisk.     I  am  pastor  of  a  church  in  Goshen,  N.  Y." 

Dr.  Fisk  was  moderator  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Presbyterian  church  in  1833,  and  was  long  a  Director  of 
the  Princeton  Theological  Seminary,  and  from  1823  to  1833 
was  a  Trustee  of  Williams  College.  He  received  his  doc- 
torate from  Hamilton  College  in  1825.  He  was  licensed  by 
Franklin  Association,  April  19,  1810.  He  published  several 
sermons,  and  a  series  of  valuable  articles  on  Mental  Science 
in  the  Philadelphia  "  Christian  Advocate  "  for  1832.  He 
had  no  children.  His  widow  resides  in  the  city  of  New 
York.  His  remains  were  removed  by  a  committee  of  his 
former  charge  in  Goshen,  N.  Y.,  from  Philadelphia  to  that 
place. 

5.*  Rev.  Pliny  Fisk  was  born  in  Shelburne,  June  24, 
1792;  graduated  at  Middlebury  in  1814;  studied  theology 
with  Rev.  Dr.  Packard  of  Shelburne ;  was  licensed  by 
Franklin  Association,  Jan.  18,  1815;  after  preaching  in  Wil- 
mington, Vt.,  about  eight  months,  acceptably  and  usefully, 
he  entered  Andover  Theological  Seminary  in  November, 
1815,  and  completed  the  theological  course  in  1818;  was 
appointed  a  missionary  to  Palestine  by  the  American  Board, 
Sept.  23,  1818  ;  and  was  ordained  for  that  purpose  in  Salem, 
Nov.  5,  1818 ;  then  spent  about  a  year  in  Georgia  and  South 
Carolina,  and  in  October,  1819,  preached  an  affecting  fare- 
well sermon  in  his  native  place,  from  Acts  xx.  22  :  "  And 
now,  behold,  I  go  up  bound  in  the  spirit  unto  Jerusalem,  not 
knowing  the  things  that  shall  befall  me  there."  With  Rev. 
Levi  Parsons,  his  missionary  colleague,  he  received  his  in- 
structions, Oct.  31,  1819,  at  Boston,  and  embarked  Nov.  3, 
and  arrived  at   Smyrna,  Jan.  15,  1820.     He  resided  for  a 


OF     SHELBURNE.  341 

time  in  Smyrna,  and  in  Scio,  and  visited  the  "Seven 
Churches  in  Asia ;"  went  to  Egypt  several  times,  and  visited 
the  pyramids ;  attended  upon  Mr.  Parsons  in  his  sickness, 
and  witnessed  his  death  at  Alexandria,  Feb.  10,  1822 ;  re- 
sided for  a  time  in  Malta ;  in  1823  visited  Jerusalem,  and 
again  in  1825 ;  visited  various  places  in  Syria,  and  resided 
at  Beyroot  and  died  there,  Oct.  23,  1825,  aged  33. 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  account  he  gave  of 
his  first  visit  to  Jerusalem,  April  25,  1823  :  "  With  feelings 
not  easily  described,  about  four  o'clock,  we  entered  Jeru- 
salem. The  scenes  and  events  of  four  thousand  years  rushed 
upon  our  minds ;  events,  in  which  heaven  and  earth,  and 
hell,  have  felt  the  deepest  interest.  This  was  the  place 
selected  by  the  Almighty  for  his  dwelling,  and  here  his 
glory  was  rendered  visible.  This  was  the  perfection  of 
beauty,  and  the  glory  of  all  lands.  Here  David  sat  and 
tuned  his  harp,  and  sang  the  praises  of  Jehovah.  Hither 
the  tribes  came  up  to  worship.  Here  enraptured  prophets 
saw  bright  visions  of  the  world  above,  and  received  mes- 
sages from  on  high  for  guilty  man.  Here  our  Lord  and 
Saviour  came  in  the  form  of  a  servant,  and  groaned,  and 
wept,  and  poured  out  his  soul  unto  death,  to  redeem  us  from 
sin  and  save  us  from  hell." 

A  Memoir  of  Mr.  Fisk,  by  Rev.  Dr.  Alvan  Bond,  was 
published  in  1828,  from  which  the  following  extracts  are 
taken  :  "  A  prominent  trait  in  his  early  character,  and  one 
that  was  distinct  in  his  subsequent  life,  was  persevering  ap- 
plication. Whatever  the  business  might  be,  to  which  his 
attention  was  called,  he  did  not  shrink  from  it  on  account  of 
difficulty  or  labor,  but  promptly  applied  himself  to  it,  and 
persevered  till  his  work  was  done.  *  *  *  The  following 
account  of  his  religious  experience  was  written  by  himself 
about  two  years  after  he  began  to  hope  that  he  was  a  chris- 
tian :  '  I  consider  the  whole  of  my  life  till  my  sixteenth 
year,  as  having  been  one  continued  course  of  rebellion 
against  God.     Not  one  holy  affection  can  I  find  by  examina- 


342 


CHURCHES     AND     MINISTE: 


tion  during  that  whole  period.  *  *  *  On  the  first  day  of 
January,  1808,  I  met  an  intimate  associate,  with  whom  I  had 
spent  much  time  in  sin,  and  he  thus  addressed  me  :  '  Re- 
member, you  have  an  immortal  soul  that  must  exist  beyond 
the  grave,  either  in  happiness  or  wo.'  I  knew  not  till 
then  of  any  change  in  his  feelings.  His  address  took  hold 
of  my  heart,  and,  after  much  reluctance,  and  many  hard 
struggles  for  a  few  days,  I  determined  to  forsake  the  vanities 
of  youth  and  seek  religion,  I  endeavored  carefully  to  keep 
my  mind  on  religious  subjects;  I  read  much,  prayed  often, 
and  frequently  attended  religious  meetings.  *  *  *  I  now 
realized,  in  some  measure,  the  power  of  the  doctrines  of 
grace.  I  found  myself  to  be  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins.  I 
had  no  heart  to  love  God.  I  was  vexed  that  a  just  God 
possessed  all  power  and  would  do  his  pleasure  without  regard 
to  the  dictates  of  his  creatures.  During  all  this  time,  though 
wearisome  days  and  nights  were  appointed  to  me,  I  con- 
tinued in  rebellion  against  God,  and  refused  to  accept  of 
mercy  on  the  terms  of  the  gospel.  And  I  am  fully  persuaded 
that  I  should  have  continued  in  my  sins,  and  rejected  the 
Saviour  and  grieved  away  the  Spirit,  had  not  God,  of  his 
own  good  pleasure,  applied  to  my  heart  '  the  washing  of  re- 
generation and  the  renewing  of  the  Holy  Ghost.'  '  *  *  * 
'  Beyroot,  Oct.  20,1825.  My  beloved  aged  father  :  I  compose 
a  few  lines  for  you  upon  a  sick,  probably  a  dying  bed.  When 
you  gave  me  up  for  this  mission,  you  gave  me  up  for  life 
and  death.  You  know  to  whom  to  look  for  consolation  and 
support.  The  same  God  who  has  comforted  you  so  many 
years  under  so  many  troubles,  will  comfort  you  under  this. 
You  know  his  consolations  are  neither  few  nor  small  I 
leave  these  lines  as  a  pledge  to  you  and  my  brothers  and 
sisters,  my  nephews  and  nieces,  that  I  love  you  all  most 
dearly,  though  so  long  separated  from  you.  I  hope  all,  or 
nearly  all  our  number  have  been  enabled  to  give  themselves 
to  Christ,  and  that  we  shall  meet  with  our  departed  mother 
in  heaven.'    *  *  *    The   letter  which   he  addressed  to  his 


OF     SHELBURNE.  343 

father  was  accompanied  by  one  from  Mr.  Goodell,  giving 
some  account  of  the  afflictive  event.  *  *  *  '  But  why  need 
I  offer  a  word  of  consolation,  or  endeavor  to  prepare  your 
mind  to  receive  the  intelligence  of  what  God  has  done  ; 
God  your  father,  who  loves  you,  who  does  nothing  wantonly, 
but  always  for  some  wise  purpose,  some  benevolent  design  ? 
'  He'll  hear  it,''  said  your  dear  son,  our  brother,  in  his  last 
hours.  Be  not  troubled,  dear  sir,  for  his  end  was  peace. 
We  sat  by  his  pillow  ;  we  wiped  away  the  cold  sweat  that 
again  and  again  gathered  upon  his  brow  ;  we  caught  the  last 
words  that  trembled  upon  his  tongue.  Jesus  was  precious 
to  his  soul  ;  heaven  itself  was  present;  all  was  peace.'  *  *  * 
The  American  Board  of  Missions  held  Mr.  Fisk  in  high  es- 
timation, and  deeply  felt  his  loss,  regarding  it  as  occasioning 
a  breach,  which  it  would  take  a  long  time  to  fill.  As  the 
result  of  intimate  acquaintance  with  his  missionary  opera- 
tions and  acquisitions,  they  have  left  on  the  pages  of  one  of 
their  Annual  Reports  a  respectful  testimonial  of  his  worth  : 
'  The  character  and  attainments  of  Mr.  Fisk,'  says  the  Re- 
port, '  were  such  as  to  attract  the  respect  and  confidence  of 
men  to  a  very  extraordinary  degree.  During  the  six  years 
of  his  missionary  life,  he  was  indefatigable  as  a  christian 
traveler,  and  as  a  preacher  of  the  gospel  in  four  languages, 
besides  his  native  tongue.  He  saw  and  conversed  with  men 
of  different  nations,  of  various  habits,  and  diversified  acquire- 
ments, from  the  accomplished  merchant  and  scientific 
traveler,  to  the  prowling  Arab,  the  ferocious  Turk,  and  the 
ignorant  devotee  of  superstition  under  the  name  of  a  chris- 
tian. Individuals  of  all  these  classes,  as  they  became  ac- 
quainted with  him,  felt  and  acknowledged  that  he  was  a 
man  of  distinguished  worth,  whose  conduct  adorned  his  pro- 
fession, and  whose  influence  must  be  perceived  by  its  salu- 
tary effects  on  any  community  in  which  he  should  reside. 
In  private  conversation  he  accomplished  much  ;  and  the  last 
weeks  of  his  life  were  rendered  happy  by  his  learning  that 
some  labors  of  this  kind,  performed  two  or  three  years  be- 


344  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

fore,  had  been  materially  instrumental  in  converting  souls  to 
God.'  *  *  *  Says  the  Rev.  Lewis  Way,  who  became  ac- 
quainted with  him  at  Antoura  :  '  I  found  in  him  a  man  of  a 
truly  catholic  and  christian  spirit.  His  simple  piety,  solid 
sense,  amiable  temper,  and  strong  constitution,  had  eminently 
predisposed  him  for  his  calling  ;  and  the  experience  he  ob- 
tained by  travelling  amply  qualified  him  to  be  the  guide  and 
director  of  others,  Avho  may  follow  him  in  this  most  interest- 
ing and  arduous  mission.'  His  piety,  '  unlike  a  summer's 
brook,'  was  as  the  stream  issuing  from  the  perennial  foun- 
tain, permanent  and  uniform,  being  sustained  by  constant 
supplies  from  '  the  wells  of  salvation.'  In  his  character  there 
was  a  combination  of  qualities  which,  under  the  direction  of 
enlightened  and  active  piety,  must  render  a  person  eminent- 
ly useful.  Decision,  perseverance,  intrepidity,  judgment, 
modesty,  patience,  and  benevolence,  are  traits  which  have 
been  developed  in  the  preceding  pages — traits  which  were 
harmoniously  combined  in  him,  forming  a  well  proportioned 
and  truly  consistent  character.  *  *  *  Such  was  the  man, 
who,  at  the  age  of  thirty-three  years,  was  dismissed  from  the 
labors  and  trials  of  his  stewardship.  It  is  not  the  first  time 
that  the  church  has  been  called  to  weep  over  the  early  death 
of  her  most  promising  and  devoted  sons.  Brainard,  Martyn, 
Mills,  Parsons,  Hall  and  others  of  kindred  spirit,  have  been 
arrested  in  the  noontide  of  life,  while  successfully  employed 
in  the  service  of  their  Lord,  and  removed  to  the  employments 
and  rewards  of  th'e  heavenly  Jerusalem." 

6.  Mr.  Samuel  Fisk  was  born  in  Shelburne,  July  23, 
1828  ;  graduated  at  Amherst  in  184S  ;  finished  liis  theologi- 
cal studies  at  Andover  in  1853  ;  has  officiated  as  tutor  in 
Amherst  College  for  some  time  past ;  was  licensed  by  Frank- 
lin Association,  May  4,  1853,  He  is  a  son  of  Mr.  David 
Fisk  2d  of  Shelburne  Falls,  and,  with  his  father's  family, 
resided  in  early  life  a  few  years  in  Strongsville,  Ohio.  One 
of  his  sisters  married  Rev.  Henry  Seymour  of  Hawley  ;  and 
another  of  them  married  Rev.  Burdett  Hart  of  Fair  Haven, 


OF     SHELBURNE.  345 

Ct.     He  has  supplied  in  West  Charlemont,  and  some  other 
places  for  brief  periods. 

7.*  Rev.  Robert  Hubbard,  Jr.,  was  born  in  Shelburne, 
Dec.  7,  1782  ;  was  the  son  of  Rev.  Robert  Hubbard,  the 
first  pastor  in  Shelburne  ;  graduated  at  Williams  in  1803  ; 
studied  theology  with  Rev.  Dr.  Packard  of  Shelburne  ;  was 
licensed  by  Franklin  Association,  Aug.  10,  1809  ;  in  1810 
he  went  as  a  Home  Missionary  into  Western  New  York  : 
was  settled  as  pastor  of  the  churches  in  Angelica  and  Alfred, 
N.  Y.,  Aug.  20,  1812,  where  hie  remained  about  seventeen 
years  ;  he  then  preached  several  years  as^a  stated  supply  at 
Dansville,  N.  Y.  ;  afterwards  preached  at  Fowlerville,  N.Y., 
and  various  other  places  in  that  state  till  his  last  sickness. 
He  died  at  Canisteo,  N.  Y.,  May  24,  1840,  aged  57. 

He  has  a  son,  Rev.  John  Niles  Hubbard,  now  preach- 
ing at  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  who  has  kindly  communicated  to 
the  author  the  following  interesting  sketches  of  his  father's 
history  :  "  In  going  from  one  appointment  to  another,  in  the 
performance  of  his  missionary  and  ministerial  labors,  when 
this  part  of  the  country  was  new  and  almost  entirely  desti- 
tute of  preaching,  he  studied  many  of  his  sermons  on  horse- 
back. He  was  in  the  habit  of  studying,  reading,  and 
praying  on  horseback.  The  woods  echoed  the  songs  of 
praise  to  God  which  he  sung,  and  were  the  witnesses  of 
many  prayers  which  he  offered,  as  he  rode  a  solitary  wan- 
derer through  them.  The  Rev.  John  Niles  was  one  day 
visiting  a  family  in  the  vicinity  of  Bath,  N.  Y.,  Avhen  the 
lady  of  the  house  inquired  of  him,  '  If  he  thought  that  angels 
ever  visited  people  now-a-days ;'  stating  that  at  such  a  time 
it  seemed  to  her  that  she  received  a  visit  from  an  angel. 
She  was  at  the  time  in  very  feeble  health,  when  a  stranger 
called,  who  wore  a  most  heavenly  countenance,  and  who 
conversed  and  prayed  with  her  in  a  most  kind  and  heavenly 
manner,  and  who,  when  he  was  going  away,  left  her  a  little 
wine  in  a-  bottle  ;  that  since  then  she  had  been  growing 
better  ;  that  she  had  never  seen  the  man  before  or  smce  ; 
44 


346  CHURCHES      AND     MINISTERS 

but  it  seemed  to  her  as  though  she  had  received  a  visit  from 
an  angel.  By  her  account  of  the  person  and  the  time  of  the 
visit,  Mr.  Niles  knew  it  must  have  been  Mr.  Hubbard.  He 
often  carried  a  flask  of  wine  with  him  in  his  portmanteau, 
not  for  his  own  use,  for  he  was  never  in  the  habit  of  drink- 
ing it,  but  for  such  sick  persons  as  he  thought  it  might 
benefit.  He  has  been  known  to  carry  for  miles  sacks  of 
flour,  and  other  articles  of  necessity  and  comfort,  to  the 
lonely  dwellings  of  the  sick  and  sorrowful. 

"  At  one  time,  when  he  was  visiting  his  relations  in  Mid- 
dletown,  Ct.,  he  brought  in  an  ear  trumpet  which  he  had 
purchased  for  one  of  his  parishioners  who  was  deaf.  His 
uncle,  Nehemiah  Hubbard,  taking  it  up,  remarked,  '  Well, 
cousin  Robert  will  go  out  West  and  preach  to  the  people 
for  nothing,  and  find  them  in  ear  trumpets  in  the  bargain.' 

"  His  known  liberality  exposed  him  now  and  then  to  be 
drawn  into  the  bestowment  of  unworthy  charities,  which  led 
him,  in  the  latter  part  of  his  life,  to  exercise  more  caution.  He 
at  one  time  lost  a  horse  by  rendering  assistance  to  a  rogue. 
Rev.  William  Clark  has  given  the  following  account  of  the 
affair.  Mr.  Hubbard,  in  company  with  Mr.  Clark  and  some 
others,  was  on  his  way  to  attend  a  meeting  of  Presbytery  in 
the  county  of  Ontario,  N.  Y.  They  had  almost  reached  the 
place,  when  they  came  across  a  man  on  foot,  who  appeared 
to  be  lame.  It  was  in  the  spring  of  the  year,  when  the  roads 
were  very  muddy.  Mr.  Hubbard  fell  behind  the  rest  of  the 
company,  and  entered  into  conversation  with  this  poor  limp- 
ing traveler.  He  gathered  from  him  something  in  regard  to 
his  history  ;  and,  as  he  related  a  sorrowful  story,  Mr.  Hub- 
bard's heart  was  drawn  out  in  sympathy  towards  him.  He 
represented  that  he  was  a  poor  man,  and  had  a  place  he  was 
trying  to  pay  for,  and  was  obliged  to  make  out  a  payment 
by  such  a  time  or  he  would  lose  it ;  that  he  was  on  his  way 
to  Geneva  for  the  money,  but  he  did  not  see  how  he  would 
be  able  to  get  back  by  the  time  appointed,  for  he  had  already 
traveled  quite  a  distance,  and  his  shoes  hurt  his  feet,  so  that 


OF      SIIELBURNE.  347 

he  was  so  lame  he  could  hardly  go,  and  he  did  not  know  but 
he  should  be  obliged  to  give  out  altogether.  Mr.  Hubbard 
told  him  he  was  designing  to  stop  at  Bloomfield,  and  would 
probably"  be  there  a  few  days,  and  that  if  he  would  return 
the  next  day  he  might  take  his  horse  and  go  on  to  Geneva. 
This  arrangement  was  accordingly  made  ;  but  Mr.  Hubbard 
never  saw  the  horse  or  the  man  afterward. 

"  When  he  preached  at  Geneseo,  on  a  certain  occasion,  a 
collection  was  taken  up  and  given  him  for  his  services. 
Learning  that  a  poor  widow,  who  had  children,  had  lost  her 
cow,  he  gave  her  this  collection,  and  then  raised  the  balance 
of  a  sum  sufficient  to  buy  the  poor  widow  another  cow. 

"  When  Mr.  Hubbard  was  about  goir^g  out  from  his  theo- 
logical instructor  to  preach,  the  latter  said  to  him,  •  There, 
Robert,  is  your  pocket  Bible.  You  are  going  where  you 
Avill  find  a  great  many  destitutions,  but  you  had  better  retain 
your  Bible  for  your  oiDii  use  ;  you  will  need  that  yourself  ; 
and  you  had  better  not  give  it  away.' 

"  A  Methodist  minister  has  related  a  little  incident  respect- 
ing Mr.  Hubbard,  mentioned  to  him  by  one  of  his  charge. 
The  Methodist  parishioner  was  in  great  want,  and  his  situa- 
tion was  known  to  Mr.  Hubbard,  who  gave  him  six  or  seven 
dollars,  and  enjoined  secrecy  upon  him,  saying,  '  My  people 
often  object  to  paying  me  money,  upon  the  ground  that  I 
never  keep  it.' 

'•  The  more  prudent  and  calculating  thought  that  he  was 
too  liberal.  They  not  unfrequently  remonstrated  with  him 
and  endeavored  to  convince  him  that  he  was  carrying  his 
benevolence  too  far.  But  he  always  assured  them  that  this 
was  the  way  in  which  he  wished  to  invest  his  money.  He 
would  in  turn  show  them  the  way  in  which  they  were 
accustomed  to  deny  themselves  and  their  families,  and 
endure  many  hardships,  that  they  might  be  able  to  pay  for 
their  farms,  and  having  paid  for  them,  then  to  lay  by  a  little 
money  for  a  rainy  day.  We  differ,  he  would  say,  only  in 
the  iDcty  in  which  we  seek  to  invest  our  means.      You  prefer 


348  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

to  have  your  money  invested  in  a  farm,  or  in  mortgage  se- 
curites ;  /  prefer  to  have  my  money,  if  I  have  any,  invested 
in  doing  good.  This  he  maintained  as  his  solemn  conviction 
was  the  safest  way  to  invest  money — to  do  good  with  it. 
If  any  man  has  money  to  put  out  at  interest,  let  him  do  good 
luith  it.  He  loill  thus  have  the  largest  income  and  the  safest 
capital.  He  looked  upon  money  given  for  doing  good  as  a 
real  investment ;  and  the  treasm-y  of  the  Lord  as  a  hank  of 
deposit, — a  bank  that  would  never  fail, — where  principal  and 
interest  were  both  safe.  Hence  he  never  thought  himself 
poorer  for  giving,  but  richer.  The  idea  of  his  impoverishing 
himself  or  family  in  this  way  never  entered  his  mind.  He 
had  as  little  concern  about  this  as  a  man  would  have  who 
goes  with  a  thousand  dollars  to  make  a  deposit  in  the 
saving's  bank. 

"  Upon  one  occasion  he  began  to  be  in  want  of  a  new  suit 
of  clothes.  He  was  without  the  means  of  getting  them. 
His  wife  said  to  him,  '■  What  are  you  going  to  do  for 
clothes  ?'  He  answered,  '  I  know  not,  unless  the  Lord  sends 
them.  '  If  God  so  clothe  the  grass  of  the  field,  which  to-day 
is,  and  to-morrow  is  cast  into  the  oven,  shall  he  not  much 
more  clothe  you,  O  ye  of  little  faith.'  '  Not  many  days 
afterwards  a  friend  brought  them  a  present  of  some  cloth, 
the  very  thing  needed.  This  friend  lived  at  a  distance,  and 
knew  not  their  particular  necessity.  He  wished  to  bring  a 
gift,  and  brought  this." 

Hotchkiss'  History  of  Western  New  York  thus  speaks  of 
Mr.  Hubbard  :  "  During  the  period  in  which  he  resided  in 
the  county  of  Alleghany,  his  labors  were  by  no  means  con- 
fined to  the  congregations  from  which  he  received  his  sup- 
port, but  were  extended  through  all  parts  of  that  county, 
and  the  western  part  of  the  county  of  Steuben.  He  was 
the  only  minister  of  the  Presbyterian  denomination  in  the 
region.  He  was  unwearied  in  his  labors  ;  and  in  attending 
to  his  ministerial  appointments  was  utterly  regardless  of  the 
vicissitudes   of    the    weather.    *    *    *    Mr.    Hubbard    was 


OF     SHELBURNE.  349 

through  life  distinguished  for  a  devotional  spirit.  He  evi- 
dently lived  near  to  God.  He  was  remarkable  for  his 
indifference  to  the  things  of  the  world,  and  for  his  extensive 
charity.  At  any  time  he  was  ready  to  divide  the  last  loaf 
with  any  destitute  person." 

Major  Moses  Yan  Camper,  an  acquaintance  of  Mr.  Hub- 
bard, thus  speaks  of  him  :  "  Robert  Hubbard  was  persevering 
in  his  efforts  to  increase  in  piety  and  knowledge  of  the  word 
of  God,  and  deserves  to  be  remembered  and  imitated.  In 
his  intercourse  with  his  fellow-creatures  he  was  always  aff'a- 
ble  and  obliging,  noted  for  a  deportment  which  was  the 
result  of  enlarged  and  active  benevolence.  He  was  exceed- 
ingly social  in  his  feelings,  polite  and  graceful  in  his  man- 
ners. He  conscientiously  avoided  an  intimacy  with  those 
whose  society  neither  promised  nor  afforded  opportunities  of 
usefulness.  With  the  saints,  the  excellent  ones  of  the  earth, 
was  his  delight.  The  m(5re  spiritual  any  one  appeared  to  be, 
the  more  did  he  seek  and  enjoy  communion  with  them.  It 
mattered  not  to  him,  what  was  the  condition  or  color;  every 
one  who  showed  the  heart  of  a  true  disciple  he  recognized 
as  a  brother  or  sister.  He  rejoiced  to  be  an  instrument  to 
minister  to  the  edification  and  consolation  of  all  those  who 
loved  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity.  To  this  end  he 
visited  the  sick  and  afflicted,  conversed,  wrote  letters,  held 
meetings,  &c.  He  was  faithful  in  exhortation  and  prayer, 
and  in  all  the  means  he  could  use  to  build  up  the  kingdom 
of  Christ  in  the  hearts  of  the  saints.  While  he  thus  labored 
to  promote  a  growth  of  grace  in  the  church,  the  burden  of 
his  prayer  and  labors  was  for  the  conversion  of  souls.  He 
consecrated  himself  to  the  service  of  the  Lord,  the  glory  of 
his  name,  and  the  advancement  of  his  cause." 

Rev.  Abiel  Parmele  preached  his  funeral  sermon,  and  in  it 
thus  speaks  of  him  :  "  The  history  of  Rev.  Robert  Hubbard, 
whose  mortal  remains  now  lie  before  us,  seems  to  be  a  com- 
mentary on  my  text :  '  But  to  him  that  soweth  righteous- 
ness, shall  be  a  sure  reward.'     Probably  no  one  can  be  found 


350  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

among  saints  or  sinners,  personally  acquainted  Avith  his  man- 
ner of  life,  who  will  be  disposed  to  question  the  fact,  that 
his  days  have  been  passed  in  sowing  to  the  Spirit.  And 
who  can  entertain  a  doubt,  that  he  has  sowed  prayerfully, 
tearfully,  perseveringly,  bountifully,  successfully.  His  piety 
was  of  that  amiable,  devout,  sincere,  high  and  holy  charac- 
ter, that  it  led  even  his  enemies  to  be  at  peace  with  him. 
His  unsuspecting,  generous,  benevolent,  charitable  heart, 
seemed  an  almost  perfect  compound  of  whatsoever  things 
are  true,  whatsoever  things  are  honest,  whatsoever  things 
are  just,  whatsoever  things  are  pure,  whatsoever  things  are 
lovely,  and  whatsoever  things  are  of  good  report.  We  may 
truly  say,  a  father  in  Israel  has  fallen ;  and  that  death  has 
seldom  triumphed  over  a  richer  or  holier  trophy.  The 
churches  have  few,  very  few  such  under-shepherds  to  lose. 
It  is  doing  no  injustice  either  to  the  living  or  the  dead,  to 
pronounce  him  the  father  not  of  one  but  of  many  of  the 
churches  in  Western  New  York.  Something  like  thirty 
years  since,  when  in  the  morning  of  his  days,  he  selected  as 
the  theatre  of  liis  anticipated  and  future  labors,  a  central 
position  in  Alleghany  County,  and  was  rather  the  shepherd 
of  the  county,  than  of  one  particular  flock.  His  field  was  a 
field  of  incredible  and  unprecedented  hardship.  It  was  a 
field  of  infant  settlements,  a  sparse  population,  a  widely  ex- 
tended territory,  and  much  of  it  a  waste,  howling  wilder- 
ness. The  inhabitants  were  poor,  and  many  of  them  in  want 
of  the  bread  that  perisheth,  as  well  as  of  that  which  endureth 
to  everlasting  life.  I  have  yet  to  learn,  if  he  ever  uttered  a 
complaining  word  in  relation  to  the  hardships  of  the  field,  or 
the  perils  of  the  wilderness.  The  great  and  good  Shepherd 
seems  to  have  raised  him  up,  and  qualified  him,  and  directed 
him  to  the  field,  and  to  have  given  him  a  heart  supremely 
delighted  with  the  work  of  feeding  the  flock,  over  which 
the  Holy  Ghost  had  made  him  overseer.  In  him  was  com- 
bined the  rare  quality  to  look  after  the  temporal  as  well  as 
the  spiritual  necessities  of  his  people.     By  his  benevolent 


OFSHELBURNE.  351 

and  generous  and  sympathizing  heart  he  was  led  to  open  his 
hand  wide  to  his  poor  brethren.  These  things,  in  the  esti- 
mation of  how  many  heaven  only  knows,  have  left  an  odor 
of  a  sweet  smell,  a  sacrifice  acceptable,  well  pleasing  to  God. 
The  influence  of  his  labors  upon  that  field  of  his  choice, 
where  he  enjoyed  the  heart-felt  delight  of  preaching  the  gos- 
pel to  the  poor,  will  never  be  but  imperfectly  realized  till  the 
heavens  are  filled  with  angels,  and  the  plaudit  is  pronounced 
before  assembled  worlds,  upon  this  toil-worn  brother,  '  Come, 
ye  blessed  of  my  Father,  inherit  the  kingdom  prepared  for 
you  from  the  foundation  of  the  world ;  for  I  was  an  hun- 
gered, and  ye  gave  me  meat ;  I  was  thirsty,  and  ye  gave  me 
drink  ;  I  was  a  stranger,  and  ye  took  me  in  ;  naked,  and  ye 
clothed  me  ;  I  was  sick,  and  ye  visited  me  ;  I  was  in  prison, 
and  ye  came  unto  me.'  In  view  of  the  change  in  the  wil- 
derness which  this  brother  has  traversed,  where  he  has  wept 
and  prayed,  and  preached  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ, 
we  may  with  wonder  and  delight  exclaim,  What  hath  God 
wrought  ?  The  county  is  now  teeming  with  a  population  of 
forty  thousand.  Churches  are  planted  in  almost  every  town- 
ship. The  Spirit  has  descended  like  the  early  and  the  latter 
rain  upon  the  earth.  The  little  hills  rejoice  on  every  side, 
and  are  breaking  forth  into  singing.  *  *  *  In  the  closing 
scene  of  his  days,  he  has  exhibited  an  illustrious  example  of 
what  it  really  is  to  continue  to  the  end.  Such  patience,  such 
fortitude,  such  cheerfulness  have  accompanied  his  long  pro- 
tracted and  fatal  illness,  it  has  been  difficult  to  realize  him  to 
be  a  sick  and  dying  man.  So  gently  has  he  passed  down  life's 
rough  declivities,  we  have  hardly  been  able  to  contemplate 
and  realize  his  entrance  into  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death. 
By  example  as  well  as  precept,  he  has  taught  men  how  to 
live  and  how  to  die  ;  if  indeed  we  can  call  his  exit  dying. 
Such  have  been  the  circumstances  and  manner  of  his  disap- 
pearance, it  must  require  an  effort  fully  to  realize  that  he  has 
died  at  all.  May  we  not  in  our  fond  recollections,  think  of 
him  as  a  star  that  never  sets,  but  burns  and  sparkles  and 
blazes  on,  till  it  has  melted  itself  away  into  heaven  ?" 


352  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

After  leaving  college,  Mr.  Hubbard  conferred  with  his 
pastor  respecting  what  profession  he  should  pursue.  It  was 
difficult  for  him  to  decide  what  choice  to  make.  He  said, 
there  are  three  professions  for  educated  men — the  medical, 
the  ministerial  and  the  legal ;  that  he  did  not  like  to  be  a 
physician,  that  he  was  not  good  enough  to  be  a  minister, 
and  that  he  thought  he  was  hardly  bad  enough  to  be  a  law- 
yer. Still,  sometime  afterwards  he  commenced  studying 
law  with  Jonathan  Leavitt,  Esq.,  of  Greenfield,  and  contin- 
ued the  study  for  some  length  of  time.  While  pursuing  his 
legal  studies  he  called  on  Dr.  Packard  of  Shelburne,  who 
then  had  several  students  in  theology  with  him,  and  in- 
quired if  he  might  study  divinity  with  him  ;  saying  he  had 
no  hope  that  he  was  a  christian,  and  that  it  would  be  wrong 
for  him  to  preach  if  he  was  not  a  christian,  but  he  had 
thought  he  should  be  as  likely  to  become  pious  to  study 
theology  as  not  to  study  it.  Accordingly  he  left  the  study 
of  law  for  the  study  of  theology,  and  in  the  course  of  a  few 
months  gave  his  theological  instructor  as  good  evidence  of 
piety  as  any  of  his  other  students.  He  was  ever  afterwards 
distinguished  for  devoutness,  sincerity,  benevolence,  kindness 
and  faithful  efforts  to  do  good.  He  published  one  sermon 
on  the  divinity  of  Christ,  which  he  preached  in  Shelburne 
in  1824,  at  the  request  of  the  people  in  the  place.  He  has 
one  child,  a  son  who  has  been  a  Presbyterian  pastor  in  Han- 
nibal, N.  Y.,  and  is  now  in  Dansville,  N.  Y. 

8.  Rev.  Giles  Lyman  was  born  in  Belchertown,  March 
16,  1802,  and  the  same  year  removed  to  Goshen,  from 
whence  he  removed  to  Shelburne  in  1809,  where  he  con- 
tinued to  reside  till  manhood.  He  was  graduated  at  Amherst 
in  1827 ;  and  finished  his  theological  studies  at  Andover  in 
1831  ;  was  ordained  as  pastor  in  Jaffrey,  N.  H.,  Jan.  11, 
1832,  and  as  a  colleague  with  Rev.  Laban  Ainsworth  ;  was 
dismissed,  May  10,  1837 ;  then  preached  at  Fowlerville,  N. 
Y.,  and  at  Ashburnham  and  Gardner ;  and  since  1840  has 
been  preaching  as  a  stated  supply  at  Marlboro',  N.  H.     Rev. 


OF     SHELBURNE.  353 

Dr.  Barstow  of  Keene,  N.  H.,  preached  his  ordination  sermon. 
During  his  ministry  in  Jaffrey  two  revivals  were  enjoyed, 
and  over  100  members  were  added  to  the  church.  Mr.  Lyman 
is  a  nephew  of  Rev.  Robert  Hubbard,  the  first  pastor  in 
Shelburne. 

9.  Rev.  Theophilus  Packard^  Jr.,  was  born  in  Shelburne, 
Feb.  1,  1802,  and  a  further  notice  of  him  may  be  found  in 
the  account  of  the  pastors  in  Shelburne. 

10.*  Rev.  Levi  Pratt  was  born  in  Cummington,  Oct.  17, 
1799,  and  removed  with  his  parents  to  Shelburne  in  Febru- 
ary, 1802 ;  graduated  at  Amherst  in  1826  ;  finished  the  theo- 
logical course  at  Andover  in  1829 ;  was  ordained  as  pastor  at 
Hatfield,  June  23,  1830,  and  the  sermon  was  preached  by 
Rev.  Dr.  Humphrey,  then  President  of  Amherst  College  ; 
was  dismissed  from  there,  May  9,  1835 ;  was  installed  as 
pastor  in  Medford,  Aug.  19,  1835,  and  Rev.  Daniel  Crosby 
preached  on  the  occasion  ;  and  died  while  pastor  at  Medford, 
Aug.  9,  1837,  in  the  38th  year  of  his  age.  On  his  tombstone 
at  Medford  is  the  following  epitaph  :  "  Of  cultivated  under- 
standing, sound  judgment,  consistent  piety  and  progressive 
usefulness,  he  lived  esteemed  and  died  lamented  by  all  who 
knew  him." 

The  American  (Quarterly  Register  thus  speaks  of  him  : 
"  He  died  suddenly  of  the  typhus  fever.  He  was  a  man  of 
an  excellent  spirit,  greatly  devoted  to  his  ministerial  work, 
an  able  and  practical  sermonizer,  lived  greatly  beloved  and 
died  lamented  by  all  who  knew  him.  He  hopefully  experi- 
enced religion  at  the  time  of  the  first  revival  of  religion  in 
Amherst  College,  in  1823."  His  funeral  sermon  was 
preached  by  Rev.  Dr.  J.  A.  Albro  of  Cambridge.  Mr.  Pratt, 
previous  to  his  settlement  in  Hatfield,  supplied  for  several 
months  the  pulpit  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Codman  of  Dorchester. 
He  married  a  grand-daughter  of  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Joseph 
Lyman  of  Hatfield,  and  buried  his  only  child  at  the  age  of 
six  months,  in  1837.     His  widow  died  several  years  since. 

Of  the  ten  Preachers  reckoned  in  the   preceding   sketches 
45 


354  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

as  sons  of  Shelburne,  seven  were  natives  of  the  town  ;  nine 
were  graduates ;  nine  have  been  ordained ;  one  had  been  a 
Home  missionary,  and  one  a  Foreign  missionary ;  two  re- 
ceived doctorates ;  one  was  appointed  a  Professor  in  a  Theo- 
logical Institution  ;  and  seven  are  living. 

OTHER    DENOMINATIONS. 

Baptists.  The  first  Baptist  church  that  existed  in  Shel- 
burne, was  called  the  Deerfield  and  Shelburne  Baptist 
church.  It  seems  to  have  been  a  Union  church,  consisting 
of  members  belonging  to  the  two  towns,  and  held  their 
meetings  alternately  in  Deerfield  and  Shelburne.  The  Bap- 
tist church  in  Deerfield  (Wisdom)  was  first  formed  by  itself, 
as  its  records  show,  Feb.  26,  1787.  At  a  meeting  of  the 
church.  May  31,  1792,  it  was  voted,  "that  this  church  shall 
be  known  in  future  by  the  title  of  the  first  Baptist  church  of 
Christ  in  Deerfield  and  Shelburne."  The  church  met,  Aug. 
24,  1832,  and  voted  to  divide  the  church  into  two  bodies, 
according  to  the  residence  of  the  members  in  the  two  towns  ; 
and  one  was  called  the  Deerfield  Baptist  church,  and  the 
other  the  Shelburne  Baptist  church.  The  Shelburne  division 
of  the  church  was  dissolved  by  vote,  April  11,  1839.  Elder 
David  Long  was  ordained  as  pastor  of  this  church,  Sept.  21, 
1792,  and  continued  their  pastor  till  his  death,  on  the  13th 
of  May,  1831,  at  the  age  of  79.  Since  his  death,  preaching 
was  supplied  in  1832  by  Rev.  Anthony  Case  ;  in  1833-4  by 
Rev.  B.  F.  Remington,  and  afterwards  by  Elder  Dalrymple 
and  others. 

The  second  Baptist  church,  which  is  now  the  only  Baptist 
church  in  Shelburne,  was  organized  at  Shelburne  Falls,  Nov. 
6,  1833,  with  19  members,  and  its  members  in  1853  num- 
bered 240.  Rev.  John  Alden  supplied  this  church  from 
1835  to  1840  ;  Rev.  William  Heath  from  1841  to  1844 ;  Rev. 
Gains  Smith  from  May  1844  till  about  the  time  of  his  death, 
Sept.  16,  1844 ;  Rev.  Edgar  H.  Gray  from  1844  to  1847  ; 
Rev.  William  H.  Parmlee  from  1848  to  1850 ;  and  Rev.  E. 


OF     SHELBURNE.  355 

H.  Gray  since  1850.  One  Baptist  preacher,  Rev.  Zephaniah 
Grossman,  originated  from  Shelburne. 

Methodists.  The  Methodist  church  in  Shelburne  was 
formed  at  Shelburne  Falls  in  October,  1842,  with  12  mem- 
bers. This  people  have  a  meeting-house  just  without  the 
limits  of  Shelburne,  on  the  Buckland  side  of  Deerfield  river. 
They  have  been  supplied  by  the  following  preachers,  viz., 
Revs.  G.  W.  Green,  H.  Clark,  A.  A.  Cooke,  W.  Ward,  Mr. 
Taylor,  S.  Cushman,  A.  G.  Bowles,  S.  W.  Johnson,  William 
Butler,  and  John  Burke  in  1853,  who  became  a  Baptist 
minister  by  ordination,  Oct.  11,  1853;  and  since  then  Mr. 
Hemenway  has  supplied  them.  One  Methodist  minister.  Rev. 
Stephen  Taylor,  originated  from  Shelburne. 

Unitarians.  A  Unitarian  society  was  organized  in  Shel- 
burne, April  14,  1828 ;  and  a  Unitarian  church  was  formed 
in  October,  1841,  with  17  members.  The  following 
preachers  have  supplied  them,  viz..  Rev.  Dan  Huntington, 
Rev.  Winthrop  Bailey,  Rev.  Henry  Colman,  Rev.  Dr. 
Samuel  Willard,  Rev.  I^uther  Wilson,  Rev.  Crawford  Night- 
ingale, and  Rev.  George  F.  Clark.  They  have  never  had  a 
meeting-house,  but  have  occupied  halls  and  other  places  for 
their  meetings,  and  have  had  but  little  preaching  for  several 
years  past.  Mr.  Joseph  Anderson  of  Shelburne  was  licensed 
as  a  Unitarian  preacher,  but  preached  only  for  a  short  time, 
and  is  now  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  in  Shelburne. 

Universalists.  a  Universalist  society  was  organized  at 
Shelburne  Falls,  Feb.  26,  1853.  Rev.  J.  H.  Willis  has  sup- 
plied them  as  their  preacher  since  March,  1853.  They  have 
no  house  of  worship,  but  meet  in  a  hall. 

Shaking  (Quakers.  Barber's  History  of  Massachusetts 
says  :  "  The  Shakers  came  into  this  town  in  1782  ;  they  con- 
tinued here  about  three  years,  when  they  removed  to  New 
Lebanon  :  a  Mr.  Wood  was  their  elder  or  leader.  The  oldest 
house  now  standing  in  Shelburne  Falls  village  was  built  by 
these  people."  This  house  was  occupied  by  them  for  their 
religious  meetings  and  ceremonies. 


356  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

The  Advcntists  have  occasionally  held  meetings  since  1843, 
in  the  vicinity  of  Shelburne  Falls.     They  are  few  in  number. 

Episcopalians.  Rev.  Levi  H.  Corson  lived  in  this  town 
several  years  in  early  life,  and  was  ordained  as  an  Episcopal 
minister  at  Hartford,  Ct.,  Jan.  16,  1831. 

SujiMARY  of  preachers  who  originated  from  Shelburne  : 
Orthodox  Congregationalists,  10.  Baptists,  1.  Methodists,  1. 
Unitarians,  1.     Episcopalians,  1.     Total,  14. 

SHUTESBURY. 

"  The  town  was  first  settled  mostly  by  people  from  Sud- 
bury in  1738,  and  was  at  that  period  called  Road  Town.'''' 
It  was  incorporated,  June  30,  1761,  and  was  named  Shutes- 
Dury  in  honor  of  Governor  Shute,  who  gave  an  elegant  Bible, 
still  preserved  by  the  town.  Its  population  in  1850  was 
912.  Three  churches  have  been  organized  in  Shutesbury, 
viz.,  one  Congregational,  one  Baptist,  one  Methodist,  and  a 
Universalist  society. 

CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

Church.  The  Congregational  church  in  Shutesbury  was 
organized,  according  to  the  records  on  the  original  proprie- 
tors' books,  Oct.  27,  1742.  The  churches  in  Deerfield,  Hat- 
field, and  Sunderland  were  represented  in  the  council  for 
the  organization  of  the  church.  After  the  dismission  of 
the  first  pastor,  the  church  was  destitute  of  a  settled  ministry 
for  a  long  time,  and  became  greatly  reduced.  An  ecclesi- 
astical council,  composed  of  members  from  six  neighboring 
churches,  was  convened  in  Shutesbury,  Feb.  4,  1806,  to 
resuscitate  or  reorganize  the  church.  The  reorganization 
took  place  at  that  time.  According  to  the  result  of  that 
council,  transcribed  into  the  records  of  the  church,  "  Eliza- 
beth Cady,  the  only  surviving  resident  member  of  the  Con- 
gregational church,  formerly  under  the  pastoral  care  of  the 
late  Rev.  Abraham  Hill,  the  first  minister  of  the  town,"  with 


OF     SHUTESBURY.  357 

twenty  other  persons,  was  recognized  as  the  Congregational 
church  in  Shutesbury.  The  records  of  the  church  during 
the  ministry  of  the  first  pastor  are  not  to  be  found.  A 
daughter  of  Rev.  Mr.  Hill  informed  the  second  pastor,  that 
the  church  records  were  burnt  by  the  family  after  they  re- 
moved from  Shutesbury.  No  records  of  the  church  are  to 
be  found  beyond  1806. 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  build  the  first  Meeting- 
house, Oct.  26,  1737  ;  and  it  appears  to  have  been  built  by 
1740.  This  church  and  people  worshiped  for  a  time  in  a 
Union  House,  which  was  owned  by  several  denominations, 
and  was  dedicated,  Jan.  1,  1828,  and  is  now  occupied  by 
the  Baptists,  and  occasionally  by  the  Universalists.  The 
Congregational  people  built  their  present  house  of  worship  in 
1836.  Revivals  have  been  enjoyed  among  this  people  as 
follows,  viz.,  in  1816,  and  19  added  to  the  church  ;  in  1831, 
and  20  added ;  in  1841,  and  6  added ;  in  1852,  and  8  added. 
A  Council  was  called  for  the  settlement  of  difficulties,  Dec. 
9,  1813.  This  church  and  people  began  to  receive  aid  for 
the  support  of  the  gospel  in  1825,  and  have  received  $2,319. 
The  amount  contributed  by  this  church  and  people  for  ob- 
jects of  benevolence  in  1852  was  $20.  The  number  in  the 
Sabbath  School  in  1852  was  60.  The  church  in  1853 
numbered  48. 

Two  ministers  have  been  invited  to  settle  as  pastors  who 
were  not  settled,  viz. :  Rev.  Mr.  Hubbard,  after  the  dismis- 
sion of  the  first  pastor,  who  at  first  accepted  the  call,  and 
afterwards  recalled  his  acceptance  of  it,  and  was  subsequently 
settled  in  Ohio ;  and  Rev.  Martin  Cushman,  in  1837,  who 
declined  the  call  on  account  of  ill  health.  After  the  dismis- 
sion of  the  first  pastor  in  1778,  but  little  Congregational 
preaching  was  enjoyed  in  Shutesbury,  till  the  settlement  of 
the  second  pastor  in  1816.  Rev.  Joseph  Smallidge,  the 
Baptist  minister  of  the  place,  was  employed  to  preach  for 
them  at  different  times,  particularly  in  1785  and  1789.  Rev. 
Jotham  Waterman  preached  for  them  in   1826,  1827,  and 


358 


CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 


1828.  Rev.  Silas  Shores  supplied  them  more  or  less  from 
1830  to  1833.  Rev.  Joshua  Crosby  preached  for  them  some 
part  of  the  time  from  1833  to  1836.  Rev.  Martin  Cushman 
was  their  supply  principally  from  1836  to  1842.  Rev.  Lot 
B.  Sullivan  preached  for  them  from  1842  to  1846.  Since 
the  dismission  of  their  last  pastor.  Rev.  James  Tisdale  has 
supplied  them,  and  is  still  their  stated  supply. 

The  ministerial  lands  granted  for  the  support  of  the  first 
settled  minister  of  the  town,  were  sold  according  to  a  vote 
of  the  town,  passed  in  December  1784.  The  property  orig- 
inally designed  for  the  support  of  the  Congregational  minis- 
try in  Shutesbury  was  many  years  since  divided  among  the 
different  denominations  in  the  town. 

In  the  one  hundred  and  eleven  years  since  this  church 
was  formed,  it  has  had  settled  pastors  about  44  years,  and 
has  been  destitute  of  the  settled  ministry  about  67  years. 
This  church  has  had  three  pastors. 

Pastors.  1.*  Rev.  Abraham  Hill  was  ordained  as  the 
first  pastor  of  this  church  on  the  day  of  its  organization, 
Oct.  27,  1742.  Mr.  Hill  was  born  in  Cambridge  in  1717  ; 
graduated  at  Cambridge  in  1737  ;  and  after  his  dismission 
from  Shutesbury,  removed  to  Oxford,  where  he  died,  June  8, 
1788,  aged  71.  After  a  ministry  of  thirty-five  years  and 
four  months  in  Shutesbury,  he  was  dismissed,  Feb.  27,  1778. 
During  the  time  of  the  political  troubles  of  our  country  in 
the  war  of  the  revolution,  he  had  great  difficulty  with  his 
people  from  political  causes.  From  1783  to  1787  he  pur- 
sued legal  measures  for  the  recovery  of  the  arrears  of  his 
salary,  and  obtained  his  case  in  the  courts.  The  American 
Quarterly  Register  says  :  "■  Mr.  Hill  and  his  people  were  alien- 
ated from  each  other,  in  consequence  of  his  imbibing  political 
sentiments  hostile  to  American  liberty.  This  led  to  a  sus- 
pension of  his  labors  for  two  years,  after  which  he  was 
regularly  dismissed." 

Rev.  Martin  Cushman,  having  access  to  the  town  records 
of  Shutesbury,  and  having  conversed  with  citizens  of  the 


or     SHUTESBURT.  359 

town  well  acquainted  with  Mr.  Hill,  has  furnished  the  follow- 
ing account  of  him  :  "  Mr.  Hill  was  a  rank  tory,  and  a  very 
active  one.  About  the  commencement  of  the  revolutionary 
war,  three  young  men,  the  celebrated  Daniel  Shays  who 
then  lived  in  Shutesbury,  Jeremiah  Cady,  and  a  Dickinson, 
met  at  Cady's  house  one  evening  to  take  into  consideration 
whether  it  was  their  duty  to  enlist  as  soldiers.  Mr.  Hill,  on 
hearing' the  fact,  went  to  Cady's  house,  entered  it  hastily,  and 
said  to  the  young  men,  '  I  understand  you  think  of  taking  up 
arms  against  your  king.  The  king  can  send  a  company  of 
horse  through  the  country  and  take  off  every  head  ;  and  in 
less  than  six  weeks  you  will  be  glad  to  labor  a  week  for  a 
sheep's  head  and  pluck.  This  was  too  much  for  the  young 
patriots,  and  they  intimated  to  him,  that  he  had  better  be  off ; 
upon  which  he  left.  The  young  men  continued  their  delib- 
erations and  reading  history  until  morning  ;  and  adopted  the 
resolution  that  they  had  better  die  than  labor  a  week  for  a 
sheep's  head  and  pluck  ;  and  subsequently  entered  the  army, 
and  were  all  promoted.  At  another  time,  when  the  whigs 
were  erecting  a  liberty  pole,  Mr.  Hill  made  his  appearance 
in  company  with  two  other  tories,  one  from  New  Salem  and 
the  other  from  Pelham.  The  whigs  stood  in  a  ring,  and 
opened  on  the  side  Mr.  Hill  and  his  companions  were 
approaching,  and  let  them  enter  ;  when  Mr.  Hill  called  them 
rebels  and  commanded  them  to  disperse  three  times,  while 
the  other  tories  began  to  insult  Shays  and  others.  They 
then  said  to  Mr.  Hill,  that  he  had  better  go  home  ;  and  on 
his  refusing  to  do  so,  Cady  took  him  up  and  threw  him 
about  a  rod.  He  then  went  home.  Mr.  Hill  continued  to 
assume  a  great  deal  of  authority,  endeavoring  to  defeat  all 
the  public  measures  for  safety,  till  the  people  impoimded  him, 
and  threw  herrings  over  to  him  to  eat ;  he  was  not,  however, 
kept  in  this  condition  over  night,  and  probably  was  kept 
there  but  a  few  hours.  Mr.  Hill  continuing  this  course,  it 
was  thought  unsafe  to  allow  him  full  liberty  ;  and  finally,  I 
think  by  a  vote  of  the  town,  he  was  forbidden  to  leave  his 


360  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

own  house,  and  any  one  who  should  see  him  ont  was  author- 
ized to  shoot  him."  Daniel  Shays,  referred  to  above,  after- 
wards changed  his  political  sentiments,  and  was  the  leader 
in  the  famous  "  Shay's  Insurrection." 

Mr.  Hill  joined  the  Hampshire  Association  at  Suflield,  Ct., 
which  then  extended  into  Connecticut,  Oct.  13,  1747.  As 
the  records  of  the  church  in  Shutesbury  contained  some 
things  disagreeable  to  Mr.  Hill  and  his  family,  they  were 
destroyed  by  the  family  after  their  removal  to  Oxford.  He 
buried  one  child  in  Shutesbury.  At  his  death  in  Oxford,  he 
left  one  son  and  one  daughter.  The  son  was  a  graduate  of 
Harvard  University,  and  was  a  physician,  and  removed  about 
1800  with  a  large  family  of  sons  to  the  State  of  "Maine.  His 
daughter  married  Rev.  Ebenezer  Sparhawk  of  Templeton. 
Mr.  Hill  preached  occasionaHy  in  Oxford  and  the  neighbor- 
ing places,  and  was  buried  in  that  town,  but  his  grave  cannot 
now  be  found. 

2.  Rev.  John  Taylor  was  settled  as  the  second  pastor 
of  the  church,  Jan.  17,  1816,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Crane  of  North- 
bridge  preached  the  sermon  on  the  occasion,  which  was 
published.  After  a  ministry  of  about  six  years  and  four 
months  in  Shutesbury  he  was  dismissed,  May  15,  1822,  and 
has  resided  since  then  in  Northbridge  where  he  now  lives. 
Mr.  Taylor  was  born  in  New  Salem,  Aug.  6,  1781;  gradu- 
ated at  Brown  in  1809  ;  studied  theology  with  Rev.  Dr. 
Payson  of  Rindge,  N.  H.  ;  was  licensed  in  1812;  supplied 
for  short  periods  in  Warren,  (then  Western,)  in  Warwick, 
and  in  various  other  places.  He  preached  in  Shutesbury 
two  years  previous  to  his  ordination  there.  Since  leaving 
Shutesbury,  he  spent  one  season  in  Pennsylvania,  and 
preached  one  summer  in  North  New  Salem,  where  he  was 
instrumental  of  preparing  the  way  for  the  organization  of 
the  Congregational  church  in  that  part  of  the  town,  and 
where  some  revival  of  religion  followed  his  labors.  At 
three  years  of  age  Mr.  Taylor  removed  to  Sutton,  where  he 
lived  ten  years,  and  then  returned  to  New  Salem.     He  mar- 


OF     SHUTESBURY.  361 

ried  Hannah,  the  third  daughter  of  Riv.  Dr.  John  Crane  of 
Northbridge.  Since  his  residence  in  Northbridge,  he  has 
been  employed  chiefly  in  agricuUural  pursuits. 

3.  Rev.  Ezra  Newton  was  ordained  as  the  third  pastor 
of  this  church,  March  1,  1848,  and  the  sermon  was  preached 
by  Rev.  Austin  Gary.  After  a  ministry  of  about  two  years 
and  six  months  he  was  dismissed,  Sept.  10,  1850.  Mr. 
Newton  was  born  in  Princeton,  Sept.  30,  1818;  graduated 
at  Dartmouth  in  1843  ;  studied  theology  with  Rev.  Sewall 
Harding,  then  of  East  Medway ;  was  licensed  to  preach  by 
Mendon  Association,  April  15,  1846  ;  supplied  from  1846  to 
1847  in  Dighton  ;  after  leaving  Shutesbury  supplied  in 
Kingston,  N.  H.,  Raymond,  N.  H.,  South  Hampton,  N.  H., 
and  taught  school  in  Medway  ;  and  acted  as  agent  for  the 
New  Hampshire  Bible  Society ;  and  in  1853  was  preaching 
in  Dighton.  Mr.  Newton  married  Miss  Clark  of  East  Med- 
way. In  1847  he  received  an  injury,  which  has  seriously 
impaired  his  health,  and  more  or  less  has  debarred  him  from 
ministerial  labors. 

Of  the  three  pastors  settled  over  this  church  all  were  dis- 
missed, and  removed  from  the  town  ;  two  are  living ;  and 
the  average  length  of  their  ministry  in  Shutesbury  was 
about  fifteen  years. 

CONGREGATIONAL    PREACHERS    ORIGINATING    FROM    SHUTESBURY. 

1.  Rev.  Dyer  Ball  was  born  in  West  Boylston  June  3, 
1796,  and  with  his  father's  family  removed  to  Shutesbury 
when  about  six  or  eight  years  old ;  studied  two  years  at 
Yale  College,  and  one  or  two  years  at  Union  College,  and 
graduated  at  the  latter  college  in  1828  ;  studied  theology  for  a 
short  time  at  New  Haven,  and  was  licensed  in  Connecticut 
in  1828  ;  lived  in  Shutesbury  in  1830  and  1831 ;  preached 
some  at  Erving  ;  was  ordained  as  an  Evangelist  at  Shutes- 
bury, March  9,  1831,  and  Rev.  Nathan  Perkins  preached  on 
the  occasion  ;  went  as  a  home  missionary  to  Florida  in  1833  ; 
studied  medicine  at  Charleston,  S.  C.  from  1835  to  1837, 
46 


362  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

and  preached  to  the  soldiers  and  to  the  colored  people  ;  was 
ordained  as  a  foreign  missionary  at  Charleston,  S.  C.  in  1837  ; 
embarked  on  his  foreign  mission,  May  25,  1838,  with  his 
wife  and  children  ;  reached  Singapore,  Sept.  17,  1838 ;  in 
1841  went  to  China  ;  buried  his  wife  in  1844,  and  his  two 
sons  in  1844  and  1845  ;  went  to  Canton  in  1845,  and  has 
resided  there  ever  since.  He  acts  both  as  a  missionary  and 
physician.  His  two  daughters  are  married  to  missionaries  in 
the  service  of  the  Presbyterian  Board. 

In  a  letter  to  the  author,  dated  Canton,  China,  June  18, 
1852,  Mr.  Ball  says  :  "  I  am  with  a  few  others  laboring  in 
the  largest  missionary  field  of  the  world — certainly  if  we 
look  at  the  numbers  that  fill  this  empire.  We  can  report 
progress.  Light  is  beginning  to  beam  on  this  benighted 
land ;  knowledge,  religious  knowledge  is  spreading.  Some 
souls,  we  trust,  are  truly  converted.  But  we  work  chiefly 
by  faith.  China  is  given  to  the  Redeemer.  It  is  in  the 
uttermost  parts  of  the  earth,  and  will  sooner  or  later  be  his 
spiritual  possession.  Hundreds  of  millions  of  this  genera- 
tion, and  of  some  succeeding  generations,  may  go  down  to 
people  an  idolater's  grave,  and  receive  an  idolater's  reward. 
But  China  is  destined  to  become  a  Christian  land.  It  will 
yield  to  the  influence  of  the  gospel  sent  to  the  heart  by  the 
Holy  Spirit.  To  it  the  church  ere  long  will  turn  her  eye, 
for  its  salvation  put  forth  her  united  efl'orts,  and  spend  her 
energies.  God  has  her  in  training  for  this  unparalleled  work — 
the  conversion  of  all  China — the  conversion  of  350  millions 
of  souls." 

2,*  Rev.  Oliver  Hill  was  born  in  Bridgewater,  Sept  12, 
1781 ;  in  1791  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  Shutesbury ; 
in  his  eighteenth  year  made  a  profession  of  religion  ;  never 
graduated  at  any  college,  but  received  the  honorary  degree 
of  A.  M.  from  Williams  College  in  1817;  studied  at  the 
Academies  in  New  Salem  and  Taunton ;  studied  theology 
with  Rev.  David  Gurney  of  Middleborough,  and  Rev.  Dr. 
Nathan  Perkins  of  West  Hartford,  Conn.  ;  was  licensed   by 


OF     SHUTESBURY.  363 

the  Plymouth  Association,  May  1,  1811  ;  in  1813  went  as  a 
missionary  of  the  Connecticut  Missionary  Society  to  Penn- 
sylvania ;  was  ordained  as  pastor  of  the  churches  in  Laws- 
ville  and  New  Milford,  Penn.,  Feb.  16,  1814,  and  the  ser- 
vices were  held  in  a  barn  ;  was  dismissed  from  there  in  the 
spring  of  1819  ;  then  preached  at  Great  Bend,  Penn.  ;  and 
one  year  as  a  missionary  in  that  region  ;  was  installed  as 
pastor  in  Union,  Broome  Co.,  N.  Y.,  in  June,  1824 ;  was  dis- 
missed from  there  in  1830  on  account  of  ill  health.  In  his 
Journal,  under  date  1831,  he  says,  he  has  preached  twenty 
years  ;  been  settled  twice  as  a  pastor  ;  preached  in  five  States, 
in  twenty-four  counties,  and  in  one  hundred  towns  ;  has  en- 
joyed six  revivals  under  his  labors ;  received  eleven  com- 
missions from  the  Connecticut  Missionary  Society,  and  four 
commissions  from  the  American  Home  Missionary  Society. 
In  1827  he  removed  to  Michigan,  and  in  November  1837  was 
settled  as  pastor  of  the  church  in  Augusta,  Washtenaw  Co., 
Mich. ;  and  was  dismissed  from  there  in  1841 ;  then  preached 
in  various  places  in  that  region,  and  was  preaching  in  Oter- 
ville,  Wayne  Co.,  Mich.,  when  taken  ill  with  his  last  sick- 
ness;  and  died  at  Augusta,  Mich.,  Dec.  23,  1844,  aged  63. 
The  place  of  his  last  pastoral  labors,  and  of  his  death,  was 
in  a  part  of  the  town  of  Augusta  called  Stoney  Creek.  At 
his  settlement  in  Pennsylvania,  Rev.  Ebenezer  Kingsbury 
preached  the  sermon.  He  seems  to  have  belonged  to  the  Bap- 
tist church  in  Shutesbury,  for  a  time  ;  and  was  dismissed  from 
it,  April  30,  1807,  and  received  to  the  Congregational  church 
in  that  town,  June  7,  1807.  He  buried  his  wife  in  February, 
1838.  He  left  his  second  wife  a  widow,  and  left  three  sons 
and  one  daughter,  the  most  of  whom  live  in  Ypsilanti, 
Mich.  One  son,  Rev.  Samuel  N.  Hill,  is  a  Presbyterian 
minister  in  Rochester,  Michigan. 

3.  Rev.  Samuel  W.  Leonard  was  born  in  Bridgewater, 
Vt.,  about  1802;  and  in  1812  removed  with  his  father  to 
Shutesbury,  where  he  continued  to  live  till  manhood.  He 
graduated  at  Williams  in  1827 ;  studied  theology  with  Rev, 


364  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

Dr.  Griffin,  then  President  of  Williams  College,  and  with 
Rev.  Jonas  Colburn  of  Leverett ;  was  licensed  in  1828  ; 
preached  a  short  time  in  Preston,  N.  Y. ;  was  ordained  as 
an  Evangelist,  in  1830,  at  Oxford,  N.  Y.,  by  the  Presbytery 
of  Chenango,  N.  Y. ;  in  1832  went  to  Constantia,  N.  Y., 
and  preached  as  a  supply  for  several  years ;  from  1840  to 
1844  preached  at  Chenango,  N.  Y.  ;  in  1845  removed  to 
Little  Yalley,  N.  Y.,  and  supplied  there  for  several  years ; 
in  1849  he  returned  to  Oswego  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  since  then 
has  been  preaching  in  West  Monroe,  in  that  county,  where 
he  still  lives.  Mr.  Leonard  married  Miss  Eliza  Williams, 
the  youngest  daughter  of  Rev.  Henry  Williams,  formerly  a 
pastor  in  Leverett. 

Rev.  Silas  Shores,  who  was  formerly  a  pastor  in  Fal- 
mouth from  1822  to  1828,  and  who  lived  in  Shutesbury 
many  years,  and  preached  several  years  for  the  Congrega- 
tional church  there,  died  in  Shutesbury,  Feb.  10,  1844,  aged 
59  years. 

Of  the  three  Congregational  ministers  who  originated  from 
Shutesbury,  none  were  natives  of  the  town ;  two  were 
graduates  ;  all  were  ordained  ;  one  was  a  home  missionary ; 
one  is  now  a  foreign  missionary ;  one  has  a  son  who  is  a 
minister ;  and  two  are  now  living. 

OTHER    DENOMINATIONS. 

Baptists.  The  Baptist  church  in  Shutesbury  was  or- 
dained Sept.  24.  1778,  and  in  1851  had  one  hundred  and 
two  members.  The  following  preachers  have  supplied  them, 
viz. :  Rev.  E.  Ewing  ;  Rev.  Joseph  Smallidge,  a  settled  pas- 
tor from  about  1784  for  forty-four  years ;  Rev.  Aaron  Bur- 
bank  two  years,  Rev.  Elinas  Austin  four  years,  Rev.  Mr. 
Munroe,  Rev.  Daniel  H.  Grant  four  years.  Rev.  John  Green 
four  years,  Rev.  Nicholas  Branch  two  years.  Rev.  Henry 
Coombs  two  years.  Rev.  N.  B.  Jones  two  years,  and  Rev.  W. 
A.  Pease  has  supplied  for  about  three  years,  and  is  still  their 
minister  in   1853.     The  following  Baptist  preachers  origi- 


OF     SUNDERLAND.  365 

nated  from  Shutesbuiy,  viz.  :  Revs.  Mason  Ball,  Elijah  Fish, 
Elbridge  Leach,  Sandford  Leach,  William  Leach,  and  Hiram 
A.  Pratt. 

Methodists.  A  Methodist  chm'ch  was  organized  in 
Shutesbury,  at  Lock's  Village,  in  Jmie,  1849,  with  ten 
members,  and  in  1853  it  had  nineteen  members.  This 
people  built  their  house  of  worship  in  1851,  and  they  have 
been  supplied  by  the  following  preachers,  viz.  :  Revs.  J.  J. 
Woodbury,  Rodney  Gage,  Daniel  A.  Marsh,  Leonard  Frost, 
Gardner  Rice,  J.  W.  P.  Jordan,  and  J.  J.  Woodbury  in  1853. 
This  church  is  composed  of  members  from  Leverett,  Wen- 
dell and  Shutesbury.  Two  Methodist  ministers  originated 
from  Shutesbury,  viz..  Revs.  Charles  Ainsworth  and  Ran- 
som Spear. 

Universalists.  The  Universalist  Society  in  Shutesbury 
was  formed  June  1,  1829,  and  has  been  supplied  by  Dr. 
John  Brooks,  Rev.  J.  H.  Willis,  Rev.  Samuel  Davis,  Rev. 
Ira  Washburn,  Rev.  Franklin  Whitaker,  Rev.  M.  Newell, 
Rev.  Samuel  Brimblecomb,  Rev.  Otis  W.  Bacon,  and  Rev. 
Gerard  Bushnell.    They  have  no  stated  preaching  at  present. 

Summary  of  preachers  who  originated  from  Shutesbury : 
Congregationalists  3  J  Baptists  6  ;  Methodists  2.     Total  11. 

SUNDERLAND. 

This  town  was  formerly  a  part  of  Hadley,  and  was  called 
Swampfield,  and  was  taken  from  it  and  incorporated,  Feb. 
14,  1714.  Its  population  in  1850  was  792.  Two  churches 
have  been  organized  in  this  town,  viz.,  one  Congregational 
and  one  Baptist. 

congregationalists. 

Church.  The  records  of  the  church  were  kept  for  a  long 
time  on  the  same  books  with  the  town  records,  and  were 
quite  defective.  Portions  of  them  have  been  transcribed  to 
constitute  the  proper,  separate  church  records.     The  fourth 


366  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

pastor,  Rev.  Asa  Lyon,  when  he  left  Sunderland,  m  1793, 
took  the  church  records  with  him.  They  were  sent  for,  but 
were  not  all  recovered.  For  these  reasons  the  early  history 
of  this  church  cannot  be  learned  so  definitely  and  accurately 
as  is  desirable.  The  church  was  organized,  probably,  Jan. 
],  1718.  While  the  town  records  give  an  account  of  what 
was  done  to  build  a  Meeting-house,  to  hire  preaching,  and 
to  provide  a  parsonage,  they  give  no  account  of  the  ex- 
istence of  a  church  in  the  town  previous  to  the  settle- 
ment of  the  first  pastor.  Likewise,  it  was  not  an  unfre- 
quent  practice  in  the  early  history  of  the  settlement  of  the 
towns  in  this  vicinity,  when  the  difficulty  of  convening 
councils  was  far  greater  than  it  now  is,  for  the  same  council 
to  organize  the  church  and  settle  the  first  pastor  on  the  same 
occasion.  This  was  the  case  in  Bernardston,  Greenfield  and 
Shutesbury.  It  is  therefore  not  unlikely  that  this  church 
was  constituted  at  the  time  of  the  settlement  of  its  first 
pastor,  which  was  Jan.  1,  1718. 

In  1716  it  was  voted  to  build  a  Meeting-house,  30  feet  by 
45.  The  house  appears  to  have  been  built  the  next  year,  in 
1717,  and  was  the  first  house  of  worship  in  the  town.  The 
second  meeting-house  was  built  in  1793.  The  third  and 
present  house  of  worship  was  built  near  the  site  of  the  sec- 
ond house,  in  1836.  In  1717  the  house  now  occupied  by 
William  Delano,  Esq.,  was  built  as  a  parsonage.  Revivals 
have  been  enjoyed  by  this  people  as  follows,  viz.  :  in  1783, 
and  17  added  to  the  church ;  in  1799,  and  23  added ;  in 
1813,  and  30  added;  in  1816,  and  77  added;  in  1831,  and 
40  added ;  in  1832,  and  70  or  80  added  ;  in  1833,  and  25 
added ;  in  1838,  and  67  added ;  in  1843,  and  20  added  ;  in 
1848,  and  13  added ;  and  in  1849,  and  60  added.  Councils 
have  been  called  to  settle  difficulties  in  this  church,  in  1755, 
in  1772,  in  1787,  in  1793,  and  in  1817.  The  amount  con- 
tributed by  this  church  and  people  for  the  cause  of  christian 
benevolence,  in  1853,  was  $620  63.  The  number  in  the 
Sabbath  School,  in  1852,  was  250.  The  church,  in  1853, 
numbered  230. 


OF     SUNDERLAND.  367 

The  following  ministers,  who  have  not  been  settled  as 
pastors  in  Sunderland,  have  supplied  this  people  more  or 
less,  viz.  : — Rev.  Warham  Williams,  son  of  Rev.  John  Wil- 
liams of  Deerfield,  in  1722  ;  Rev.  Thomas  Lewis,  from  1745 
to  1747;  Rev.  Mr.  Mills,  in  1785;  Rev.  Mr.  Aikins,  in  1786 
and  1787;  Rev.  Joseph  Strong,  Rev.  Mr.  Spaulding,  and 
Rev.  Hendrick  Dow,  in  1788 ;  Rev.  John  Miner,  a  portion 
of  the  time  from  1787  to  1792 ;  Rev.  Nathan  Holman,  in 
1799 ;  Rev.  Ochus  G.  Hubbard,  in  1831  ;  and  Rev.  Ezekiel 
Russell,  in  1836.  The  church  has  also  invited  the  follow- 
ing ministers  to  settle  as  pastors,  who  were  not  settled,  viz. : 
Rev.  John  Miner,  at  some  time  between  1787  and  1792 ; 
Rev.  Nathan  Holman,  in  1799 ;  Rev.  Ochus  G.  Hubbard,  in 
1831 ;  Rev.  Ezekiel  Russell,  in  1836.  In  the  136  years, 
during  which  the  church  has  probably  been  organized,  it 
has  been  supplied  with  settled  pastors  about  106  years,  and 
has  been  destitute  of  a  settled  ministry  about  30  years. 
This  church  has  had  eleven  pastors. 

Pastors.  1.*  Rev.  Joseph  Willard  was  settled  as  the 
first  pastor  of  this  church,  Jan.  1,  1718.  His  name  has  been 
erroneously  written  Josiah  in  the  town  records  of  Sunder- 
land and  in  the  American  Quarterly  Register,  and  elsewhere. 
He  was  a  son  of  Captain  Samuel  Willard  of  Saybrook,  Ct., 
and  a  grandson  of  Josiah  Willard,  and  a  great-grandson  of 
Major  Simon  Willard  of  Lancaster,  who  was  ''  the  common 
ancestor  of  most  of  the  name  in  this  country."  His  grand- 
father was  brother  of  Rev.  Samuel  Willard,  who  settled  in 
Groton,  then  in  the  Old  South  Church  in  Boston,  and  was 
then  Vice  President  of  Harvard  College.  The  sermon 
preached  at  the  ordination  of  Mr.  Willard  in  Sunderland, 
appears  to  have  been  published,  and  is  said  to  be  in  the  Li- 
brary of  the  Antiquarian  Society  at  Worcester.  In  1717  the 
people  in  Sunderland  voted  to  send  a  committee  of  two  to 
Harvard  College  to  obtain  a  minister  to  settle  with  them ; 
and  if  they  were  unsuccessful,  to  have  the  committee  return 
by  way  of  Norwich,  Ct.,  and  call  on  Mr.  Willard,  and  bring 
him  along  with  them  if  possible. 


368  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

After  a  ministry  of  about  three  years  in  Sunderland,  Mr. 
Willard  was  dismissed  in  1721 ;  and  was  invited,  July  12, 
1721,  by  the  people  in  Rutland  to  come  and  preach  to  them. 
"He  accepted,"  says  Joseph  Willard,  Esq.,  of  Boston,  a  rela- 
tive of  his  ;  "purchased  an  estate  in  that  town,  and  preached 
there  for  two  years.  Rutland  was  then  an  infant  settlement 
and  a  frontier  town,  peculiarly  subject  to  apprehensions  from 
the  Indians,  and  for  this  cause  mainly  his  installation  was 
deferred  till  the  fall  of  1723.  But  before  the  arrival  of  that 
period,  he  was  killed  by  the  Indians,  who  made  an  attack 
upon  the  town.  He  fought  with  great  bravery  for  his  life. 
He  was  personally  brave.  He  was  attacked  by  two  Indians, 
one  of  whom  he  wounded,  and  closed  with  the  other,  whom 
he  probably  would  have  overcome,  had  not  three  more  of  the 
enemy  rushed  to  the  rescue  of  their  companion.  After  a 
protracted  struggle,  Mr.  Willard  was  killed  and  his  scalp  was 
carried  to  Canada.  His  library  was  valued  at  38  pounds, 
three  shillings  and  four  pence — an  uncommon  sum  for  the 
country  at  that  day."  The  following  account  is  from  Whit- 
ney's History  of  Worcester  County,  quoted  in  Barber's  His- 
tory of  Massachusetts,  in  his  account  of  Rutland,  viz. : — 
"We  have  said  the  settlers,  in  1721,  invited  the  Rev.  Joseph 
Willard  to  settle  with  them,  which  invitation  he  accepted. 
This  Mr.  Willard  had  been  ordained  a  minister  of  Sunder- 
land, in  the  county  of  Hampshire,  but  continued  a  very  little 
time  with  them  before  he  was  dismissed.  After  he  had  ac- 
cepted the  invitation  to  settle  with  the  people  of  Rutland,  he 
met  with  many  and  great  discouragements,  and  particularly 
by  reason  of  the  fears  and  dangers  arising  from  the  Indians ; 
so  that  an  appointment  of  his  installation  was  deferred. 
However,  at  length  a  day  was  fixed  upon  for  his  solemn 
separation  to  the  work  of  the  ministry  in  that  place  in  the 
fall  of  the  year  1723 ;  but  he  lived  not  to  see  the  day,  being 
cut  off  by  the  enemy,  as  shall  be  now  related.  As  Deacon 
Joseph  Stevens  and  four  of  his  sons  were  making  hay  in  a 
meadow  at  Rutland,  a  little  north  of  the  place  where  the 


OF      SUNDERLAND.  369 

meeting-house  now  stands,  Aug.  14,  1723,  they  were  sur- 
prised by  five  Indians.  The  father  escaped  in  the  bushes  ; 
two  of  his  sons  were  then  and  there  slain  ;  the  other  two 
(Phineas  the  eldest,  and  Isaac  the  youngest,)  were  made 
prisoners.  Two  of  the  five  Indians  waylaid  Mr.  Davis  and 
son,  who  that  afternoon  were  making  hay  in  a  meadow  not 
far  off,  but  weary  of  waiting,  they  were  returning  to  the 
others,  and  met  Mr.  Willard  in  their  way,  who  was  armed. 
One  of  the  Indian's  guns  missed  fire  ;  the  others  did  no  exe- 
cution. Mr.  Willard  returned  the  fire,  and  wounded  one  of 
them,  it  is  said  mortally ;  the  other  closed  in  with  Mr.  Wil- 
lard, but  he  would  have  been  more  than  a  match  for  him, 
had  not  the  other  three  come  to  his  assistance  ;  and  it  was 
some  considerable  time  before  they  killed  Mr.  Willard.  This 
account  Phineas  Stevens  gave  upon  his  return  from  captiv- 
ity, who  was  a  spectator  of  some  part  of  the  tragedy.  The 
Indians  having  killed  and  scalped  Mr.  Willard,  and  taken 
some  of  his  clothes,  went  off  to  Canada,  with  the  two  cap- 
tives abovenamed.     They  were  redeemed  in  about  a  year." 

He  was  born  in  Saybrook,  Ct.,  about  1692  ;  graduated  at 
Yale  in  1714;  received  the  honorary  degree  of  A.  M.  from 
Harvard  College,  the  year  of  his  death,  in  1723  ;  was  chosen 
unanimously  to  be  the  minister  of  Rutland ;  and  at  his 
death,  Aug.  14,  1723,  was  about  31. 

2.*  Rev.  William  Rand  was  settled  as  the  second  pastor 
of  this  church.  May  20,  1724,  and  after  a  ministry  of  about 
twenty  years  in  Sunderland,  was  dismissed  in  the  latter  part 
of  1745.  Mr.  Rand  was  afterwards  settled  in  Kingston,  and 
died  there  ;  and  Rev.  Augustus  R.  Pope,  a  successor  of  his 
at  Kingston,  has  published  the  following  account  of  him  : — 
"  Rev.  William  Rand,  the  third  minister  of  Kingston,  was 
born  in  Charlestown,  on  the  24th  of  March,  1700 ;  gradu- 
ated at  Harvard  College  in  1721,  and  was  requested  to 
supply  the  pulpit  for  one  month,  after  the  6th  of  January, 
1746.  On  the  24th  of  January,  the  church  gave  him  a  call, 
in  which  the  parish  concurred  on  the  13th  of  February. 
47 


d/U  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTEKS 

His  answer  was  given  on  the  14th  of  March,  when  a  com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  make  all  necessary  arrangements 
for  the  installation.  Mr.  Rand  had  been  previously  settled 
at  Sunderland,  on  the  Connecticut  River,  about  twenty 
years.  *  *  *  Rev.  Mr,  Rand  continued  in  the  ministry  here 
thirty-four  years.  He  died  of  apoplexy  on  the  14th  of 
March,  1779,  aged  seventy-nine  years.  The  town,  on  the 
15th,  appointed  a  committee  to  make  all  the  arrangements 
for  his  funeral  at  the  town's  expense ;  and  subsequently 
chose  a  committee  to  procure  gravestones  to  be  placed  at  his 
grave."  Mr.  Pope  says  in  a  letter  to  the  author,  "  Mr.  Rand 
was  quite  a  learned  man,  but  a  very  dull  preacher,  unless 
tradition  is  false." 

Rev.  Zephaniah  Willis,  another  successor  of  Mr.  Rand  at 
Kingston,  has  thus  described  him :  "He  was  of  middling 
stature,  very  spare  habit,  dark  complexion,  and  strong  con- 
stitution, of  few  words,  disciplined  in  the  school  of  affliction 
by  the  death  of  children,  and  the  consequent  derangement 
of  his  wife's  intellect.  He  was  liberal  in  opinions  and  doc- 
trines, plain  and  unornamented  in  his  discourses,  pleasing  to 
judicious  and  discerning,  rather  than  to  warm  and  superficial 
hearers.  He  was  a  scholar  highly  esteemed  by  the  learned 
and  informed  in  the  province,  with  whom  he  had  an  exten- 
sive acquaintance.  Several  of  his  sermons  are  in  print 
which  contribute  to  his  honor." 

Rev.  Dr.  Chauncy  wrote  thus  to  Rev.  Dr.  Stiles:  'I  have 
been  in  long  friendship  and  intimacy  with  Rev.  Mr,  Rand  of 
Kingston,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Gay  of  Hingham,  but  I  suppose  you 
know  neither  of  them  ;  and  shall  only  say,  that  they  are  both 
as  valuable  and  great  men  as  almost  any  amongst  us.  I 
could  mention  more  names,  and  of  my  acquaintance  too,  but 
those  I  have  mentioned  are  the  most  worthy  of  notice.  I 
know  of  none  I  have  a  higher  opinion  of." 

It  has  been  said  in  some  quarters,  that  Rev.  Mr.  Rand  was 
opposed  to  Rev.  George  Whitfield  and  his  preaching  and  re- 
ligious movements ;   and  that  his  opposition  resulted  in  his 


OF     SUNDERLAND. 


371 


dismission  from   Sunderland.     The  following  epitaph  is  on 
Mr.  Rand's  gravestone  in  Kingston  : — 

"  Here's  one  who  long  had  run  the  christian  race ; 
Kindly  reliev'd  reclines  his  hoary  head, 
And  sweetly  slumb'ring  in  this  dark  embrace, 
Listens  the  welcome  sound,  'Arise  ye  dead.'" 

3.*  Rev.  Joseph  Ashley  was  installed  as  the  third  pastor 
of  this  church  in  1747,  and,  after  a  ministry  of  thirty-seven 
years,  "  he  desisted  from  the  exercise  of  his  pastoral  office  in 
December,  1784,  by  advice  of  an  ecclesiastical  council  called 
to  consult  of  matters  of  difficulty  between  him  and  his 
people.     He  held  his  office  in  his  church  till  his  death." 

He  was  born  in  Westfield,  Oct.  11,  1709,  and  was  a  great- 
grandson  of  "  Robert  Ashley,  the  only  male  bearing  the 
name  of  Ashley  that  came  from  the  mother  country,  settled 
in  Springfield  in  1639."  He  was  also  the  great-grandfather 
of  Hon.  Chester  Ashley,  the  United  States  Senator  from 
Arkansas,  who  died  in  Washington,  April,  1848,  aged  57. 
He  graduated  at  Yale  in  1730  ;  was  settled  as  pastor  in  Win- 
chester, N.  H.,  Nov.  12,  1736,  and  dismissed  on  account  of 
troubles  by  the  Indians  in  1745.  He  was  married  to  Miss 
Anna  Dewey  of  Westfield  in  1736,  and  had  five  children, 
viz.,  Joseph,  Jr.,  who  died  in  New  York  during  the  Revolu- 
tion, a  tory  ;  Stephen,  who  was  the  grandfather  of  Hon. 
Chester  Ashley  ;  Anna,  who  married  Jonathan  Russell  ; 
Sarah,  who  married  Jonathan  Dickinson ;  and  Gideon,  who 
married  Mary  Russell,  and  lived  and  died  in  Sunderland. 
He  lived  in  Sunderland  till  his  death.  He  died  there,  Feb. 
8.  1797,  in  his  88th  year.  On  his  monument  is  inscribed 
the  following  epitaph,  viz.  :  "  Sound  in  judgment,  meek  in 
spirit,  exemplary  in  life,  a  friend  of  peace,  a  steady  believer 
in  the  doctrines  of  grace,  respected  by  his  people,  and  es- 
teemed by  his  brethren  in  the  ministry.  '  They  that  be 
wise  shall  shine  as  the  brightness  of  the  firmament ;  and 
they  that  turn  many  to  righteousness,  as  the  stars  forever 


372  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

and  ever.'  "  Mr.  Ashley's  death  occurred  while  the  Ministe- 
rial Association  to  which  he  belonged  was  holding  its  session 
in  Deerfield  ;  and  the  intelligence  was  brought  to  the  Asso- 
ciation, and  Rev.  Dr.  Newton  was  designated  to  offer  a 
prayer  specially  in  reference  to  the  event.  Mr.  Ashley  was 
on  the  famous  council  convened  at  Northampton  in  the  case 
of  President  Edwards. 

4.*  Rev.  Asa  Lyon  was  ordained  as  the  fourth  pastor  of 
this  church,  Oct.  24,  1792,  and  after  a  ministry  of  about  one 
year  he  was  dismissed,  Sept.  23,  1793 ;  and  the  dismissing 
council,  at  the  same  time,  withdrew  from  him  their  ministe- 
rial fellowship.  As  Mr.  Lyon  was  a  remarkable  man  in 
some  respects,  liberty  is  taken  to  give  a  more  full  account  of 
him  than  is  given  of  most  other  ministers  noticed  in  this 
work. 

The  following  extracts  are  from  a  manuscript  memoir  of 
himself,  which  he  wrote  within  a  year  of  his  death  :  "  Asa 
Lyon  was  born  at  Pomfret,  Abington  Parish,  [Ct.,]  Dec.  31, 
1763.  He  was  the  youngest  but  one  of  seventeen  children. 
His  father's  name  was  Jonathan.  His  mother,  a  second 
wife,  was  Rebecca  Maxley,  from  Brandon,  in  Ireland.  Of 
his  paternal  ancestors  no  information  remauis  further  than 
this,  they  came  from  England  to  Roxbury  at  an  early  period 
of  the  settlement  of  New  England.  His  grandfather  re- 
moved from  Roxbury  to  Pomfret,  when  that  town  was  new. 
His  name  was  Abiel.  Rebecca  Maxley  embarked  with  her 
parents  and  sisters  for  this  country  when  she  was  but  twelve 
years  of  age.  Her  father  died  on  the  passage.  The  survi- 
vors resided  for  several  years  at  Stonington,  [Ct.]  The 
family  of  Jonathan  Lyon  was  always  poor,  but,  by  their  in- 
dustry and  economy  they  were  able  to  support  those  who 
depended  upon  them,  and  to  give  them  a  common  school 
education.  Asa  was  early  under  religious  impressions,  deep, 
but  for  many  years  transitory.  His  parents  Avere  members 
of  the  Congregational  church,  and  constantly  attended  on 
the  duties  of  that  profession.     His  pious  mother  carefully 


OF      SUNDERLAND.  373 

instructed  her  children  in  the  Assembly's  Catechism  every 
Sunday  evening.  This  scriptural  system  was  taught  in  the 
village  school  every  Saturday,  and  once  at  least  by  the 
minister  of  the  place  in  every  village  school  during  its 
continuance  in  winter.  So  attentive  to  this  Catechism  was 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  that  he  several  times,  at  the  ap- 
pointment of  the  master,  gave  the  questions  to  the  members 
of  the  school  and  corrected  their  answers  without  any  re- 
currence to  his  book.  While  busied  with  this  religious  in- 
struction, at  a  certain  time  his  views  of  his  desert  of  misery 
became  so  full,  as  to  exclude  almost  every  ray  of  hope.  Of 
the  justice  of  his  condemnation  he  had  no  doubt,  and  its 
certainty  was  almost  as  real.  He  retired  to  a  secluded  place 
at  the  remotest  corner  of  the  farm,  and  besought  the  Lord 
for  mercy.  When  he  arose  from  his  suppliant  posture,  he 
took  from  his  pocket  Erskine's  musical  version  of  the  Song 
of  Solomon,  and  cast  his  eye  upon  these  words :  '  Eat,  O 
friends  ;  drink,  yea,  drink  abundantly,  O  beloved.'  In  an 
instant,  such  a  view  of  the  fulness  and  freeness  of  gospel 
salvation  flashed  upon  his  mind,  as  he  never  had  perceived 
before.  Of  his  own  particular  interest  in  it  he  had  no  per- 
ception at  the  time  ;  but  of  its  reality  and  certainty  to  every 
penitent,  he  even  now  doubts  whether  he  can  have  a  clearer 
view  till  he  comes  to  where  he  shall  '  know  even  as  also  he 
is  known.'  His  opposition  to  the  gospel  from  that  moment 
ceased,  and  his  objections  to  its  doctrines,  which  had  been 
strong,  were  gradually  silenced.  Of  the  day  and  year  of  this 
occurrence  he  has  long  since  lost  the  remembrance  ;  but  the 
fact,  the  place,  the  circumstances  and  the  effect,  he  thinks  he 
can  never  forget,  while  reason  is  continued. 

"  From  his  childhood  he  had  a  taste  for  learning  ;  math- 
ematical studies  were  his  delight ;  and  he  often  imitated 
the  clergyman  in  all  parts  of  his  ministerial  duties.  Obliged 
to  depend  on  himself  for  property,  he  early  became  a  teacher 
in  a  common  school.     He  also  hired  himself  to  different  per- 


374  CHURCHES    AND    MINISTERS 

sons,  to  labor  in  the  field  for  two  months  in  harvest  in  each 
year.  While  engaged  in  these  services,  his  leisure  hours 
were  employed  in  studying  almost  all  the  books  which  he 
could  obtain.  He  gained  so  much  knowledge  of  astronomy 
without  any  assistance  he  calculated  an  almanac,  which  was 
published  in  Boston.  Among  the  books  which  he  purchased 
in  Boston,  was  a  Greek  lexicon,  which  excited  a  desire  to 
understand  the  classics.  As  he  was  returning  with  his  books 
in  his  knapsack,  he  was  noticed  by  the  Rev.  Walter  Lyon, 
the  minister  of  his  native  place,  who  said  to  him,  '  Though 
you  cannot  obtain  a  public  education,  you  may  make  such 
progress  in  study  as  to  fit  you  for  public  usefulness.'  En- 
couraged by  this  remark,  he  soon  commenced  the  Latin 
grammar,  under  the  kind  tuition  of  Mr.  Lyon.  Having 
made  some  progress  in  his  preparatory  studies,  in  addition  to 
a  large  English  school  which  he  taught  during  the  winter 
months,  he  undertook  the  instruction  of  two  scholars  in 
Latin.  *  *  *  At  the  commencement  of  Dartmouth  Col- 
lege in  1787,  he  presented  himself  for  examination,  and  was 
permitted  to  enter  the  Sophomore  class.  While  a  member  of 
college  he  was  allowed  to  teach  a  school  each  winter.  Hav- 
ing graduated,  he  entered,  Jan.  3,  1791,  upon  the  study  of 
divinity  with  the  Rev.  Charles  Backus  of  Somers,  [Ct.] 
With  him  he  continued  till  the  Association  convened  at 
Gilead,  Oct.  4,  1791,  when  he  received  a  license  to  preach 
the  gospel.  He  preached  his  first  sermon  at  Somers,  Oct.  9, 
179 L  As  licentiate  he  preached  at  Litchfield,  N.  H.,  at 
Pelham  and  Sunderland,  Mass.,  and  at  Farmington,  Ct. ;  and 
was  ordained  at  Sunderland,  Oct.  24,  1792,  There  he  re- 
mained till  January,  1794,  when  he  came  to  Vermont. 
After  tarrying  a  few  weeks  at  Essex,  he  was  employed  at 
South  Hero.  There  he  continued  preaching  till,  on  the  12th 
day  of  January,  1795,  he  formed  a  church,  consisting  of 
seven  persons,  who  had  been  members  of  other  churches. 
At  the  invitation  of  this  church,  Dec.  21,  1802,  he  took  the 


OF     SUNDERLAND.  375 

charge  thereof  as  pastor,  and  continued  the  administration  of 
its  special  ordinances  and  duties  till  sickness  prevented, 
March  15,  1840." 

His  son,  Newell  Lyon,  Esq.,  of  Burlington,  Vt.,  gives  the 
following  account  of  his  death  :  "  On  the  day  of  his  death, 
about  six  o'clock,  P.  M.,  he  inquired  of  his  daughter,  'What 
time  is  it  ?'  She  looked  at  the  clock  and  replied,  '  Six.'  He 
then  asked,  '  What  day  is  it  ?  Is  it  the  Sabbath  ?'  (which 
were  his  last  words.)  She  answered,  '  Yes,  father,  it  is  the 
Sabbath.'  He  then,  after  drinking  some  water,  looked  at  his 
finger  nails,  under  which  the  blood  was  settling,  slowly  and 
solemnly  raised  his  eyes,  as  he  always  was  wont  to  do  be- 
fore prayer,  then  closed  them,  and  died  without  a  strug- 
gle." 

His  funeral  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  James  Dough- 
erty, and  a  portion  of  it  was  published  in  the  Burlington 
Free  Press,  for  April  23,  1841,  from  which  the  following  is 
taken  :  "  Of  his  personal  appearance  all  here  have  a  distinct 
recollection  ;  on  this,  therefore,  a  word  only  need  be  said. 
Large  of  stature  and  powerfully  muscular,  his  deportment  was 
venerable,  and  his  countenance  full  of  dignity  and  intel- 
ligence. But  passing  from  this  topic,  I  would  dwell  a  mo- 
ment on  the  qualities  of  his  mind.  This,  like  his  body,  was 
large.  His  native  powers,  which  were  very  great,  he  culti- 
vated to  the  highest  degree,  by  the  most  unremitting  appli- 
cation to  study.  Knowledge,  for  its  own  sake,  was  pre- 
eminently the  object  of  his  research  and  toil,  which  he 
applied,  as  occasion  required,  to  the  duties  of  his  profession, 
and  to  the  business  of  life.  Hence  it  was  often  observed  of 
him  that  he  was  at  home  in  all  the  professions,  and  on  any 
topic  of  science  or  literature.  He  distinguished  himself  as  a 
statesman  and  as  a  political  writer.  His  speeches  in  the 
State  and  National  Legislatures,  and  his  orations  and  odes, 
written  for  the  anniversaries  of  the  nation's  freedom,  show 
him  great  in  these  departments  of  knowledge.  As  a  divine, 
his  discourses  prove  him  to  be  exalted.     His  sermon  on  the 


376  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

'  Depravity  and  Misery  of  Man,'  deliv^ered  before  the  Ver- 
mont Domestic  Missionary  Society  in  1815,  is  itself  a  mon- 
mnent  of  knowledge,  truth,  and  power, 

"  As  a  writer,  he  was  chaste,  clear,  classic,  removed  alike 
from  the  diffusive  and  the  dry.  Method,  beauty,  strength, 
were  prominent  characteristics.  He  never  wrote  carelessly, 
yet  never  under  constraint.  Hugh  Blair  he  evidently 
studied,  whom  he  equalled  in  graces  of  style  and  language, 
and  excelled  in  strength.  Virgil,  Cicero,  and  Homer  were 
favorites  with  him  in  the  classics.  Indeed,  those  best  quali- 
fied to  judge  of  his  intellectual  capacity,  yielded  him  the 
tribute  of  a  profound  mind  and  great  learning. 

"  As  a  theologian,  he  stood  high  in  the  esteem  of  brethren 
in  the  ministry,  with  whom  he  Avas  associated.  Though 
evidently  so  guided  by  his  own  judgment  as  not  to  make  any 
one  his  standard,  yet  Edwards  was  one  of  his  frequent 
authorities ;  and  he  esteemed  Scott  as  the  best  interpreter 
who  ever  annexed  a  Commentary  to  the  Scriptures.  He 
was  a  Calvinist  in  good  faith  ;  and  it  is  difficult  to  con- 
ceive of  greater  pleasure,  to  one  who  loved  those  great  prin- 
ciples that  distinguish  Calvinistic  theology,  than  to  hear  him 
discuss  and  explain  them.  Both  the  friends  and  the  enemies 
of  that  system  felt  him  to  be  among  its  mightiest  defenders. 
The  darkness  which  so  many  seem  to  involve  those  divine 
doctrines  in,  always  dispersed  under  the  discursive  power  of 
his  mighty  intellect.  Though  few  men  were  more  capable 
of  illustrating  religion  from  nature  than  he,  yet  he  rarely  did 
it,  preferring  generally  for  this  purpose,  the  sure?'  ivord  of 
prophecy.  Perhaps  no  man  had  less  sympathy  for  that 
theology  which,  under  the  show  of  liberality,  would  destroy 
the  distinguishing  doctrines  of  grace  than  he.  Yet,  though 
so  fond  of  these  fundamental  truths,  a  more  practical 
preacher  it  would  be  difficult  to  find.  To  him  nothing  in 
any  department  of  thought  or  duty  seemed  to  be  a  hobby, 
but  everything  had  its  place  and  was  there  attended  to. 
His  skill  in  managing  the  passions  of  unsanctified  hearers, 


OF      SUNDERLAND.  377 

when  presenting  any  of  the  offensive  doctrines,  was  remarka- 
ble. So  clear  was  the  idea  in  his  own  mind,  and  so  felicit- 
ous the  language  in  which  he  coHveyed  it,  that  while  the 
sentiments  slew  them,  the  preacher  never  inflicted  the 
slightest  wound.  O,  to  what  excellent  purpose  had  he 
studied  the  injunction,  '  Be  ye  wise  as  serpents  and  harm- 
less as  doves;'  nor  less  that  kindred  one,  overlooked  by  so 
many,  '  Be  ye  courteous.' 

"  In  the  pulpit  he  was  solemn.  His  prayers,  which  were 
usually  long,  were  characterized  by  impressiveness,  '  ex- 
actness of  expression,'  very  reverent  towards  God,  full  of 
Aveighty  thoughts  ;  ever  orderly  and  submissive.  He  prayed 
as  if  none  were  there  but  himself  and  God.  His  preaching, 
like  his  prayers,  was  marked  by  method  and  instruction  ; 
and  upon  those  occasions  which  required  the  moving  and 
the  tender,  such  as  funerals,  the  sympathetic  was  very  char- 
acteristic of  him.  His  addresses  to  the  mourners,  a  custom 
which  he  still  followed,  have  often  called  forth  a  rush  of 
powerful  feeling  throughout  the  assembly.  Frequently  has 
he  himself  been  noticed  to  be  in  tears  on  those  occasions. 
These  addresses  appeared  to  be  wholly  unstudied.  It  seemed 
to  be  nature  herself  speaking  her  own  language,  and  it  pene- 
trated the  heart.  No  pomp  of  expression,  no  parade  of 
kindness,  but  friendship  uttering  what  it  tenderly  felt.  To 
him,  the  words  of  the  prophet  peculiarly  applied,  '  The  Lord 
God  has  given  me  the  tongue  of  the  learned,  that  I  should 
know  how  to  speak  a  word  in  season  to  him  that  is  weary.' 
Though  as  a  preacher  he  was  generally  earnest,  yet  he  was 
never  loud,  much  less  noisy  or  boisterous.  These  traits, 
even  when  they  were  natural  in  a  preacher,  he  disapproved, 
but  when  they  were  assumed  for  the  purpose  of  effect,  he 
loathed  them.  What  is  not  always  found  in  great  minds, 
he  was  as  quick  to  detect  an  error  or  sophistry,  as  he  was 
powerful  to  overthrow  it.  Of  him  it  may  be  said,  '  he  was 
quick  of  discernment,  of  a  penetrating  genius,  close  and  clear 
thought,  and  piercing  judgment.  His  understanding  was,  if 
48 


378  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

I  may  so  express  it,  of  a  quick,  strong,  and  distinguishing 
scent.'  As  a  councillor,  his  praise  is  in  all  the  churches, 
where  he  will  long  be  gratefully  remembered  and  ad- 
mired. *=  *  * 

"  As  he  lived,  so  he  died,  wholly  discarding  all  righteous- 
ness, save  the  "imputed  righteousness  of  Christ."  In  the 
skeleton  of  a  last  Will  and  Testament  he  says :  "  Viewing 
myself  altogether  unworthy  of  any  good,  yet  hoping  for  full 
acceptance  through  the  atoning  blood  and  imputed  righteous- 
ness of  my  Redeemer,  I  commend  my  immortal  spirit  to  Him 
who  gave  it."  To  this,  it  may  not  be  out  of  place  to  add,  as 
illustrative  of  the  simplicity  of  this  wise  and  venerable  man, 
the  direction  he  gave  in  regard  to  his  burial :  "  I  direct  that 
my  deceased  body  be  wrapped  in  a  winding  sheet,  after  the 
custom  of  former  times,  and  laid  in  a  pine  coffin,  colored 
black ;  without  any  ornaments,  or  indications  of  name  or 
age,  and  laid  in  a  grave,  *  *  *  there  to  rest,  without  any 
monument,  till  He,  who  is  the  Resurrection  and  the  Life, 
shall  call  it  forth,  and  make  it  like  his  glorious  body." 
Such  a  man,  my  hearers,  was  the  Rev.  Asa  Lyon.  Such  a 
minister,  my  brethren,  was  the  pastor  of  your  church." 

Mr.  Lyon  was  elected  to  various  civil  offices.  He  was  a 
representative  of  the  town  of  South  Hero  in  the  Vermont 
General  Assemby  from  1799  to  1814,  with  the  exception  of 
two  years.  In  1805  he  was  appointed  to  the  office  of  Chief 
Judge  of  the  County ;  and  he  was  appointed  to  this  office 
for  nine  years.  At  the  Vermont  election  in  1808,  he  was 
chosen  a  member  of  the  Council,  and  fulfilled  the  duties  of 
his  appointment.  In  1814  he  was  chosen  as  a  representa- 
tive to  Congress  from  Vermont,  and  served  out  the  term 
of  his  appointment  at  Washington.  On  the  12th  of  May, 
1796,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Esther  Newell,  a  daughter  of 
Rev.  Abel  Newell  of  Charlotte,  Vt.  By  her  he  had  six 
children,  two  of  whom  are  living — a  son  in  Burlington,  Vt., 
and  a  daughter  who  is  the  wife  of  A.  B.  Hatch,  Esq.,  of 
South  Hero,  Vt.     He  has  published  the  following  works, 


OF     SUNDERLAND.  379 

viz.  :  A  funeral  sermon  in  1800  ;  a  speech  in  the  Vermont 
Assembly  in  1804  ;  a  discourse  on  National  Benefits  in  1809  ; 
an  oration  before  the  Washington  Benevolent  Society  in 
1812;  an  article  on  the  ordination  of  deacons  in  1814;  a 
missionary  sermon  in  1814  ;  a  speech  in  Congress  in  1816  ; 
an  interpretation  of  Mark  xi.  24,  in  1825,  He  likewise  pre- 
pared a  variety  of  works  for  the  press  that  were  never  pub- 
lished, among  which  were  a  Grammar,  an  Arithmetic,  a 
volume  of  Poems,  a  Dialogue  between  Common  Sense  and 
Thomas  Paine  ;  the  New  Philosophical  Dictionary,  bemg 
the  Philosophical  Dictionary  of  Voltaire,  corrected,  en- 
larged, and  improved,  which  was  written  only  as  far  as 
the  letter  L.     He  died  April  4,  1841,  aged  77. 

5.*  Rev.  David  H.  Williston  was  settled  as  the  fifth  pas- 
tor of  this  church,  July  8,  1804,  and  after  a  ministry  of 
about  two  years  in  Sunderland,  was  dismissed,  July  17, 
1806.  Mr  Williston  was  born  in  West  Haven,  [now  Orange] 
Ct.,  July  18,  1768  ;  and  was  a  son  of  Rev.  Noah  Williston 
of  West  Haven,  Ct.,  and  a  brother  of  Rev.  Payson  Wil- 
liston of  Easthampton.  He  studied  theology  with  his 
father,  and  with  Rev.  Mr.  Storrs  of  Longmeadow.  He  was 
ordained  as  a  pastor  in  Tunbridge,  Vt.,  June  26,  1793,  and 
was  dismissed  from  there  about  1802.  After  his  dismission 
from  Sunderland,  in  1806,  he  returned  to  Tunbridge,  Vt., 
and  made  that  place  his  home  till  his  death  in  1845.  He 
preached  to  the  people  of  his  first  charge  as  a  supply  for 
some  time  after  his  return,  and  without  salary.  From  1807, 
till  within  a  few  years  of  his  death,  he  labored  as  a  mis- 
sionary a  considerable  portion  of  the  time,  in  Vermont  and 
Maine.  His  wife  died  in  Tunbridge,  Jan.  8,  1838,  aged 
71.  All  his  children  died  before  his  own  death.  After  the 
decease  of  his  family  he  lived  alone  in  his  own  large  house, 
and  was  unwilling  to  have  others  live  with  him.  He  was 
regarded  as  being  somewhat  eccentric  in  some  of  his  notions 
and  habits.  His  piety,  his  devotedness  to  the  interests  of 
the  Redeemer's  cause,  and  his  missionary  zeal  were  unques- 


380  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

tionable.  He  was  remarkably  benevolent,  and  contributed 
largely,  in  proportion  to  his  means,  for  the  propagation  of 
the  gospel  among  the  heathen.  His  labors  as  a  missionary, 
in  the  service  of  the  Hampshire  Missionary  Society,  among 
the  feeble  and  destitute  churches  of  Vermont  and  New 
Hampshire,  are  spoken  of  as  having  been  useful  and  valu- 
able. His  funeral  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Stillman 
Morgan  of  Bristol,  Vt.  Mr.  Williston  died  in  Tunbridge, 
Vt.,  Oct.  29,  1845,  aged  77. 

6.*  Rev.  James  Taylor  was  settled  as  the  sixth  pastor  of 
this  church,  July  22,  1807,  and,  after  a  ministry  of  about 
twenty-four  years  in  Sunderland,  died  while  pastor  there, 
Oct.  11,  1831,  aged  48.  He  was  born  in  Westfield  in  1783  ; 
graduated  at  Williams  in  1804 ;  studied  theology  with  Rev. 
John  Taylor  of  Deerfield,  whose  eldest  daughter  he  married  ; 
and  was  never  settled  as  a  pastor  except  at  Sunderland. 
Rev.  Tertius  S.  Clarke,  then  of  South  Deerfield,  preached 
his  funeral  sermon.  The  following  is  the  epitaph  on  his 
gravestone  in  the  Sunderland  cemetery :  "  In  memory  of 
Rev.  James  Taylor,  for  twenty- five  years  pastor  of  the 
church  in  Sunderland,  who  died  Oct.  11,  1831,  aged  48. 
Also,  his  wife,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Taylor,  who  died  Oct.  16, 
1831,  aged  43.  The  most  enduring  monument  to  the 
parents  is  the  hearts  of  their  children." 

The  Greenfield  Gazette  of  Oct.  18,  1831,  published  this 
brief  notice  of  Mr.  Taylor  :  "  A  man  of  the  character  and 
qualifications  of  Mr.  Taylor  should  not  go  down  to  the  tomb 
unnoticed ;  for  the  benefit  of  the  living,  and  as  a  just  tribute 
of  respect  to  the  memory  of  the  deceased,  his  fidelity  in  the 
service  of  his  Master,  his  high  integrity,  his  qualifications 
for  the  ministry,  and  his  life,  as  we  believe,  of  usefulness 
should  be  recorded." 

The  American  Quarterly  Register  thus  speaks  of  him : 
"Mr.  Taylor  was  a  son  of  Col.  James  Taylor  of  Westfield. 
He  died  in  the  midst  of  his  days,  much  lamented.  He  was 
very  active,  along  with  his  excellent  parishioner,  Nathaniel 


OF     SUNDERLAND.  381 

Smith,  Esq.,  in  efforts  to  found  and  build  up  Amherst  College. 
Both  were  trustees  of  that  institution.  Mr.  Taylor's  wife 
died  about  the  same  time  with  her  husband,  leaving  a  large 
family  of  children." 

Mr.  Taylor  published  a  sermon  which  he  preached  before 
the  Hampshire  Missionary  Society,  at  Northampton,  in  1818. 
Mr.  Taylor  and  his  wife  died  of  typhus  fever,  which  was 
greatly  prevalent  and  quite  fatal  that  season  in  Sunderland. 

He  possessed  a  sound,  energetic  mind  ;  had  great  decision 
of  character,  and  firmness  of  purpose  ;  was  strictly  evangeli- 
cal in  his  doctrinal  views  ;  and  his  preaching  was  clear,  forci- 
ble and  instructive.  In  person  he  was  of  middling  height, 
and  rather  corpulent ;  with  a  full  countenance,  indicative 
both  of  kindness  and  a  prompt,  active,  and  decided  spirit. 

7.  Rev.  Henry  B.  Holmes  was  installed  as  the  seventh 
pastor  of  this  church,  Jan.  21,  1833,  and,  after  a  ministry  of 
about  two  years  and  nine  months,  was  dismissed,  Oct.  27, 
1835.  Mr.  Holmes  was  born  in  Stratford,  England,  in 
1808 ;  never  graduated  at  any  college  ;  studied  with  his 
father.  Rev.  Benjamin  Holmes,  an  English  dissenting  min- 
ister, who  came  to  this  country  about  1819,  and  was  settled 
for  a  time  in  Montague.  Mr.  Henry  B.  Holmes  was  settled 
in  Goshen,  Sept.  25,  1830,  and  was  dismissed  from  there  in 
January,  1833  ;  and  after  leaving  Sunderland  was  settled  in 
Springfield,  Vt.,  June  29,  1836,  and  was  dismissed  from 
there  in  a  few  years,  and  has  been  for  some  years  past  an 
agent  of  the  American  Tract  Society,  and  resides  at  An- 
dover. 

8.*  Rev.  Solomon  B.  Ingram  was  ordained  as  the  eighth 
pastor  of  this  church,  Dec.  28,  1836,  and,  after  a  ministry  of 
about  three  years  and  a  half,  died  while  pastor  in  Sunder- 
land, June  2,  1840,  aged  33.  He  was  a  tutor  in  Amherst 
College  from  1835  to  1836.  The  following  epitaph  is  re- 
corded on  his  gravestone  ;  "  Cut  off  in  the  beginning  of  his 
life  and  in  the  midst  of  his  usefulness.  That  life  is  long 
which  answers  life's  great  end."  His  widow  married  Rev. 
Robert  Carver  of  Raynham. 


3S2  CHURCHES      AND      MINISTERS 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  an  obituary  notice  of 
Mr.  Ingram,  which  was  prepared  by  Rev.  Dr.  Humphrey, 
who  preached  his  funeral  sermon,  and  was  published  in  the 
New  York  Observer  : — 

"  Mr.  Ingram  was  born  in  Amherst,  Mass.,  April  1,  1807. 
He  made  a  public  profession  of  religion,  and  united  with  the 
church  when  he  was  about  10  years  of  age.  His  thoughts 
and  desires  were  soon  turned  to  the  christian  minis^try,  and 
he  entered  Amherst  College  in  the  autumn  of  1827.  While 
in  college,  he  was  distinguished  for  sobriety,  industry  and 
punctuality.  Let  who  would  be  absent,  he  was  sure  to  be 
found  in  his  place,  both  in  the  class-room  and  the  chapel. 
He  took  a  high  rank  in  his  class,  and  graduated  at  the  com- 
mencement of  1831.  After  a  year  or  two  spent  in  teaching, 
and  witnessing  a  powerful  revival  in  his  school,  he  entered 
the  Theological  Seminary  of  Andover  ;  but  before  he  had 
finished  his  professional  studies,  was  called  to  the  tutorship 
in  his  college,  the  duties  of  which  he  discharged  with  dis- 
tinguished fidelity  and  success,  till,  having  been  licensed  to 
preach  the  gospel  at  the  end  of  the  year,  he  was  invited  to 
supply  the  pulpit  as  a  candidate  for  settlement,  in  Sunder- 
land. In  a  few  weeks  he  was  called,  with  great  unanimity,  by 
the  church  and  congregation,  to  take  '  the  oversight  of  them 
in  the  Lord,'  and  accepting  the  invitation,  was  ordained  in 
December,  1836. 

"  He  entered  upon  his  high  duties  with  an  alacrity  which  is 
rarely  surpassed,  and  appeared  to  feel  from  that  hour  that  he 
'  watched  for  souls  as  one  who  must  give  an  account.'  He 
saw  that  he  had  a  great  work  to  do  ;  a  work  that  demanded 
the  best  of  his  time  and  strength  and  faculties  ;  and  he 
'  gave  himself  wholly  to  it.'  Mr.  Ingram  spent  more  time 
in  his  study,  and  in  preparing  his  discourses,  than  most 
young  ministers  do  in  these  bustling  times,  and,  of  course, 
preached  better.  Most  earnestly  did  he  desire  to  'see  the 
salvation  of  God,'  among  the  beloved  people  of  his  charge, 
and  he  did  see  it  '  and  was  glad.'     In  1832,  God  poured  out 


OF    SUNDERLAND.  383 

his  Spirit,  first  upon  the  youth  and  children  of  the  congre- 
gation, and  afterwards  upon  heads  of  families.  The  revival 
continued  the  greater  part  of  a  year,  and,  as  the  fruits  of  it, 
between  70  and  SO  were  added  to  the  church. 

"  During  this  glorious  '  time  of  refreshing  from  the  pres- 
ence of  the  Lord,'  Mr.  Ingram's  spirit  was  remarkably  stirred 
within  him.  His  labors  were  unremitting.  He  was  '  instant 
in  season,  out  of  season.'  He  poured  himself  out  like  water. 
It  is  rare  to  see  any  one  more  entirely  absorbed  than  he  was 
in  his  sacred  work.  It  seemed  for  some  time,  as  if  he  could 
not  rest,  day  nor  night,  till  his  people  were  all  safe  in  the  ark. 
He  had  always  enjoyed  uncommonly  fine  health,  and  proba- 
bly, as  many  others  have  done,  presumed  too  much  upon  it ; 
although  it  did  not  fail  him  at  that  time.  The  growing  at- 
tachment of  his  congregation  to  him,  and  his  strong  attach- 
ment to  them,  seemed  to  promise  a  long  and  useful  ministry  ; 
and  he  was  fast  rising  in  the  estimation  of  his  brethren,  and 
of  other  congregations  where  he  occasionally  preached. 
Those  who  knew  him  best,  expected  most  of  him  in  future 
years.  But,  alas,  '  his  sun  has  gone  down  ere  it  was  noon.' 
He  had  scarcely  been  three  years  and  a  half  in  the  field, 
when  he  was  arrested  by  the  stroke  of  death,  and  left  all  his 
plans  of  future  usefulness  unfinished.  '  He  rests  from  his 
labors  and  his  works  follow  him.' 

"  Mr.  Ingram's  natural  talents  were  rather  solid  than  bril- 
liant. Indeed  there  was  nothing  showy  about  him.  He  had 
just  that  sort  of  mind  which  fits  a  man  for  the  most  endur- 
ing reputation,  and  the  highest  usefulness  in  the  christian 
ministry ;  discriminating,  vigorous,  remarkably  well  bal- 
anced, patient  and  true  to  its  purpose.  He  loved  study,  and 
felt  that  his  great  business  was  to  '  feed  the  flock  of  God, 
over  which  the  Holy  Ghost  had  made  him  overseer,  with 
knowledge  and  understanding.^  Hence  his  sermons  were 
full  of  thought,  and  highly  instructive,  as  well  as  direct, 
searching  and  pungent.  It  is  believed,  that  but  few  minis- 
ters can  show  as  many  well-studied  sermons,  within  the  first 


384  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

tliree  years  and  a  half  after  their  settlement,  as  he  left  be- 
hind him.  He  took  the  right  course  to  become  able  and 
eminent  in  his  profession.  The  light  was  clear,  because  the 
oil  was  well  beaten  ;  and  had  his  life  been  spared,  it  would, 
there  is  re,ason  to  believe,  have  shone  '  more  and  more  unto 
the  perfect  day.'  He  was  retiring  in  his  habits — perhaps  too 
much  so  ;  but  if  his  people  did  not  see  him  so  much  as  they 
wished  on  week  days,  they  saw  plain  enough  on  the  Sab- 
bath where  he  had  been  laboring  for  their  benefit. 

Ministerial  consistency  and  prudence  were  distinguishing- 
traits  in  Mr,  Ingram's  character.  His  every-day  deportment 
corresponded  with  his  Sabbath  day  appearance  and  instruc- 
tions. Everybody  saw  that  he  was  a  man  to  be  trusted, 
consulted  and  confided  in.  He  was  always  gaining  in  pub- 
lic confidence  ;  and,  it  is  believed,  never  lost  anything.  His 
piety  was  remarkably  unostentatious,  but  apparently  deep, 
uniform  and  vital.  It  was  not  a  noisy  brook  of  a  month  or 
two  in  the  spring,  but  a  pererniial  stream.  His  private 
papers  evince  great  humility  and  self-distrust,  at  the  same 
time  that  they  indicate  an  unshaken  reliance  upon  the  mer- 
its of  the  Redeemer,  and  an  increasing  desire  to  be  con- 
formed to  his  image.  When  brought  down  upon  the  bed  of 
sickness,  he  was  calm,  cheerful  and  resigned.  He  spoke 
often,  like  one  deeply  read  in  his  own  heart,  of  his  great 
unworthiness  and  his  low  attainments  in  piety.  He  had  a 
desire  to  live,  that  he  might  serve  God  better  in  the  gospel  ; 
but  a  still  stronger  desire  that  *  the  will  of  the  Lord  might 
be  done.'  His  prevailing  impression,  for  some  time  before 
his  death,  was,  that  he  should  not  recover,  and  his  conversa- 
tion, in  the  near  prospect  of  death,  was  highly  satisfactory 
and  consoling  to  his  friends.  His  last  words  were  affect- 
ingly  expressive  of  '  that  peace  which  passeth  all  under- 
standing.' Wheri  his  hour  had  come,  he  breathed  his  soul 
gently  away,  and  left  his  heart-stricken  companion,  his  mourn- 
ing relations,  and  his  bereaved  and  sorrowing  flock,  humbly 
trusting  that  he  had  gone  '  to  be  forever  with  the  Lord.' 


OF     SUNDERLAND.  385 

9.*  Rev.  Austin  Gary  was  ordained  as  the  ninth  pastor 
of  this  church,  Nov.  11,  1840,  and  after  a  ministry  of  about 
nine  years,  died  while  a  pastor  in  Sunderland,  Nov.  27,  1849, 
aged  40. 

Rev.  Samuel  Harris,  then  of  Conway,  preached  his  fun- 
eral sermon,  from  which  the  following  is  an  extract,  viz. : 
"  Austin  Gary  was  born  in  North  Bridge  water,  Oct.  1,  1809. 
His  early  life  was  marked  with  amiableness  and  morality ; 
as  is  usual  with  the  children  of  pious  parents,  he  was  from 
his  early  years  the  subject  of  serious  impressions.  The  first 
which  he  distinctly  remembers,  was,  when  he  was  about 
seven  years  old.  But  as  he  advanced  in  youth,  he  left  the 
Sabbath  School,  as  is  the  dangerous  custom  of  many  lads 
when  they  begin  to  approach  manhood ;  from  that  time, 
though  extremely  fond  of  reading,  he  neglected  the  Bible, 
and  lost  all  relish  for  it.  He  also,  for  the  pleasure  of  show- 
ing what  he  could  say,  and  of  provoking  discussion,  allowed 
himself  to  advance  objections  against  its  divine  origin.  As 
the  result,  he  became  sceptical,  and  ultimately  an  atheist, 
entirely  callous  to  religious  impressions.  His  recovery  from 
this  state  was  peculiar  and  striking.  Returning  home  late 
at  night,  he  had  fallen  asleep  in  the  wagon,  as  he  was  wont 
to  do,  when  thus  kept  abroad  by  business.  His  thoughts 
had  not  been  turned  to  the  subject  of  God's  existence,  or 
any  kindred  subject,  either  then  or  for  some  time  before. 
The  night  was  cloudy.  As  he  awoke  and  looked  on  the 
dim  objects  about  him,  a  strong  and  instantaneous  impres- 
sion was  on  his  mind ;  '  There  is  a  God ;  he  keeps  myself 
and  everything  in  being ;  he  is  here,  he  is  everywhere.' 
This  sudden  and  abiding  conviction  he  ascribed  to  the  Spirit 
of  God.  From  that  time,  he  again  became  the  subject  of 
frequent  religious  impressions.  He  re-entered  the  Sabbath 
School  now  as  a  teacher  ;  but  the  employment  only  made 
him  wretched  by  conscious  unfitness.  These  occasional  im- 
pressions and  periods  even  of  wretchedness  he  concealed  ; 
in  this  state  he  continued  about  two  years  j  at  the  end  of 
49 


386  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

this  time,  and  near  the  close  of  a  protracted  meeting,  he 
finally  and  forever  gave  his  heart  to  Christ,  and  openly- 
avowed  himself  his  disciple.  Soon  after,  in  the  spring  of 
1832,  and  the  23d  year  of  his  age,  he  began  fitting  for  col- 
lege, with  the  hope  of  entering  the  ministry.  In  1833  he 
entered  Waterville  College,  from  which,  in  the  Sophomore 
year,  he  removed  to  Amherst,  where  he  graduated  with 
honor  in  1837.  The  same  year  he  entered  the  Theological 
Seminary  at  East  Windsor,  where  he  completed  his  theo- 
logical course  in  1840.  He  soon  after  received  calls  from 
three  churches  ;  he  accepted  that  from  Sunderland,  where 
he  was  ordained,  Nov.  11,  1840.  Here  he  labored  with 
great  fidelity  and  success.  He  enjoyed  two  special  revivals 
in  1843  and  1849 — 136  were  added  to  the  church  during 
his  ministry." 

"  A  few  years  ago  his  labors  were  interrupted  for  a  few 
months  by  a  disease  of  the  lungs.  The  present  autumn  it 
pleased  God  to  send  distressing  sickness  on  all  the  members 
of  his  family.  This  interrupted  his  public  labors.  The 
last  time  he  preached,  he  went  from  the  bedside  of  his  wife, 
then  scarcely  expected  to  recover,  and  preached  extempo- 
raneously from  these  words:  'We  all  do  fade  as  a  leaf.' 
On  a  subsequent  Sabbath,  he  left  his  sick  family  long 
enough  to  come  to  the  sanctuary  and  baptize  six  children. 
This  was  his  last  public  service.  As  his  family  became 
slightly  better,  worn  down  himself  with  fatigue  and  anxiety, 
he  was  attacked  by  hsemorrhage  from  the  lungs,  followed  by 
three  similar  attacks.  He  became,  however,  more  comforta- 
ble, and  his  physician  was  entertaining  the  hope,  that,  after 
a  few  months,  he  might  be  restored  to  a  measure  of  comfort- 
able health ;  but  a  typhoid  fever  set  in  and  soon  brought 
him  to  his  end.  He  died  Tuesday,  Nov.  27,  at  10  o'clock, 
P.  M.,  at  the  age  of  40  years.  His  dying  struggles  were 
terribly  severe. 

"During  his  sickness,  on  account  of  the  state  of  his  lungs, 
he  said  but  little  ;  but  his  soul  was  peaceful,  and  his  whole 


OF     SUNDERLAND.  387 

sickness  marked  by  a  sweet  and  unquestioning  submission 
to  God,  which  was  ever,  in  an  unusual  degree,  characteristic 
of  him.  He  said,  '  I  see  it  to  be  my  Father's  will  to  take 
me  home;  but  he  has  not  revealed  to  me  how  or  when.' 
At  one  of  the  few  interviews  which  his  wife's  illness  allowed 
him  to  have  with  her,  he  said,  '  I  am  near  home,  and  oh 
'tis  good,  'tis  good  ;  I  wish  you  knew  how  happy  it  is. 
Many  times  we  have  parted,  expecting  to  meet  again  in  a 
few  weeks.  This  is  nothing  more  than  that.'  At  another 
time  he  said,  '  A  few  weeks  ago  I  expected  you  would  be 
called  home,  and  I  be  left.  But  now  it  seems,  that  God  is 
to  take  me  to  be  with  the  dear  little  one  that  we  have  in 
heaven,  and  leave  you  to  take  care  of  these  that  remain  with 
us.'  When  he  seemed  better,  and  it  was  hoped  he  might  be 
restored,  he  said,  '  Oh,  it  seems  hard  to  come  back.'  Thus 
in  peace  and  submission  the  soul  of  our  beloved  brother 
waited  the  approach  of  death,  till  he  slept  in  Jesus,  and  his 
spirit  passed  away  to  Christ,  who  is  our  life. 

"  About  six  hours  before  his  death,  a  brother  in  the  min- 
istry entered  his  room.  The  dying  man  extended  his  hand 
with  his  usual  cordiality,  and  the  visitor  said,  as  he  took  it, 
'  Brother  C.  your  race  is  almost  run.'  He  replied,  '  Yes, 
bless  God  for  it ;'  and  then  rallying  his  dying  energies,  he 
said  with  intense  earnestness,  '  Oh,  m^y  brethren  in  the  min- 
istry, live  for  Christ, — Christ  is  all — all.' 

"  We  never  could  have  felt  that  the  time  had  come  when 
we  could  spare  him.  But  God's  time  is  best  ;  and  it  would 
seem  even  to  us,  that  no  more  suitable  time  for  his  depar- 
ture could  have  been  chosen.  God  had  just  visited  him 
with  that  blessing,  dearest  of  all  to  a  pastor's  heart,  the  out- 
pouring of  his  Spirit  ;  he  had  just  permitted  him  to  gather 
into  Christ's  fold  a  larger  number  than  had  ever  before 
joined  that  church  at  once.  Thus  God  had  sent  a  beam  of 
heaven's  own  light  to  fall  on  him,  a  smile  of  his  own  love 
to  irradiate  him,  before  calling  him  to  the  full  glory  of  the 
heavenly  world.     If  the  victor  on  a  field  of  blood  can  say, 


3SS  CHURCHES      AND     MINISTERS 

'  I  die  content,'  how  much  more  the  pastor,  who  dies  in  the 
very  hour  of  spiritual  triumph ;  who  goes  from  the  cluster- 
ing affections  of  new-born  souls  converted  under  his  minis- 
try, to  be  welcomed  by  angels,  as  one  who  has  converted 
many  from  the  error  of  their  ways,  and  hidden  a  multitude 
of  sins.  It  is  a  translation  in  a  chariot  of  glory,  rather  than 
a  death. 

"  I  shrink  from  attempting  to  delineate  his  character,  lest 
I  do  injustice  to  it;  but  I  am  relieved  by  the  thought,  that 
his  character  is  known  to  my  hearers ;  and  your  own  hearts 
will  supply  the  deficiencies  of  the  picture. 

"  He  was  remarkably  winning  in  his  manners,  speedily 
securing  the  interest  of  a  stranger,  which  was  usually  in- 
creased and  consolidated  into  friendship  by  further  acquaint- 
ance. He  was  always  modest  and  unassuming.  He  was 
ardent  in  his  feelings,  firm  and  trustworthy  in  his  friend- 
ships. He  was  social,  frank,  and  generous  ;  above  all  shadow 
of  meanness,  he  was  eminently  manly.  He  was  remarka- 
bly unselfish.  Before  experiencing  religion,  he  was  becom- 
ing more  and  more  absorbed  in  the  love  of  money  ;  he  was 
bent  on  being  rich.  Grace  had  eifected  a  complete  triumph 
over  this  ;  his  heart  was  not  set  on  property  ;  money  flowed 
from  him  freely  for  every  good  object.  He  was  firm  in  his 
decisions ;  and  in  the  least  as  well  as  the  greatest  matter, 
where  principle  was  at  stake,  absolutely  inflexible  ;  and  yet 
he  maintained  his  convictions  and  carried  through  his  pur- 
poses with  such  suavity,  that  they  who  yielded  to  his  decis- 
ion seemed  almost  to  suppose  that  he  had  yielded  to  them. 
He  possessed  sound  judgment  and  strong  common  sense. 
With  all  his  warmth  of  feeling,  he  had  great  self  control, 
and  few,  if  any,  have  seen  him  thrown  ofl"  his  guard  by 
even  a  momentary  passion.  He  had  immense  energy,  and 
what  he  undertook,  he  would  at  all  hazards  accomplish  ;  and 
this,  with  his  scrupulous  fidelity,  caused  that,  if  any  matter 
pertaining  to  the  interests  of  the  church  were  intrusted  to 
him,  we  knew  it  would  be  done  seasonably  and  thoroughly. 


OF    SUNDERLAND.  389 

And  in  whatever  he  undertook,  he  was  almost  recklessly 
unsparing  of  himself.  His  own  convenience,  interests,  time 
and  health,  seemed  literally  the  last  thing  he  ever  thought 
of.  Hence  he  was  led  unquestionably  to  an  unjustifiable 
excess  of  labor,  which  the  remonstrances  of  friends  were 
inadequate  to  restrain,  and  which  brought  him  to  an  un- 
timely end. 

"As  a  christian  he  was  unusually  spiritual.  Should  I 
select  any  trait  as  peculiarly  striking,  it  would  be  his 
prompt,  but  loving  and  sweet  submissiveness  to  God.  Some 
of  us  remember  the  affecting  remarks  which  he  made  on  this 
subject,  at  the  meeting  of  the  conference  at  Shelburne,  a 
few  weeks  ago.  He  spoke  of  free  and  confiding  intimacy 
with  God  in  Christ,  comparing  the  christian  to  a  little  child 
flinging  his  arms  around  his  parent's  neck,  and  affectionately 
whispering  his  wants  in  his  ear.  I  thought,  at  the  time, 
that  he  was  describing  the  habitual  attitude  of  his  own  soul. 

"  As  a  preacher  and  writer,  he  had  ability  ;  as  his  Prize 
Tract  and  his  Report  on  the  Desecration  of  the  Sabbath 
show.  But  his  peculiar  characteristic  was  unction  ;  he  was 
a  son  of  consolation  rather  than  a  Boanerges  ;  a  John  rather 
than  a  Peter.  He  spoke  to  the  heart ;  and  the  peculiar 
warmth  of  his  soul  glowed  in  his  sermons  and  melted  the 
hearts  of  his  hearers.  In  doctrine  he  was  incorrupt,  holding 
forth  those  peculiar  truths  which  of  old  have  been  the  glory 
of  our  churches.  He  had  a  power  of  keen  analysis  and  nice 
distinction,  which  we  have  seen  exercised  in  private,  and  in 
his  more  profound  investigations.  But  his  preaching  was 
aimed  to  awaken  sinners  and  to  edify  the  church,  in  the  pre- 
sentation of  the  simple  and  affecting  motives  of  the  gospel. 

"  As  a  pastor,  he  felt  an  absorbing  interest  in  his  people. 
Truth  would  have  allowed  him  to  address  them  in  the 
words  of  Paul :  '  Being  affectionately  desirous  of  you,  we 
were  willing  to  have  imparted  to  you,  not  the  gospel  of  God 
only,  bat  also  our. own  souls,  because  ye  were  dear  unto  us.' 
And  that  body,  worn  out  in  labors  for  you,  tells  you  what  he 


390  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

was  willing  to  do — what  he  has  done — he  has  given  you 
himself. 

'•  In  hours  of  stupor,  during  his  last  illness,  I  am  told  by 
his  physician,  that  nothing  would  rouse  him  so  quickly  as 
the  mention  of  any  subject  pertaining  to  the  interests  of  his 
people.  The  physician  and  attendants  repeatedly  tried 
to  rouse  him,  but  in  vain  ;  when,  directly  after,  some  of 
the  people  coming  in  and  speaking  of  the  interests  of  the 
church,  it  would  rouse  him  at  once. 

''  In  his  relation  to  the  churches,  generally,  he  was  ever 
ready  for  counsel  and  for  labor.  He  was  one  of  the  most 
active  in  forming  and  executing  plans  to  promote  the  general 
interests  of  the  churches  of  the  county  and  their  benevolent 
enterprises.  Few  men  of  only  nine  years'  standing  in  the 
ministry  had  been  called  on  so  many  councils,  or  had  so 
great  influence  in  them. 

"  How  dear  he  was  to  the  circle  of  ministers  in  which  he 
moved  ;  what  reason  we  all  had  to  love  and  trust  him  ; 
what  a  sore  bereavement  we  feel  has  come  upon  us  ;  I  can- 
not trust  myself  to  say.  He  was  a  true  yoke-fellow.  We 
did  love  him  !  We  are  bereaved.  God  help  us  to  say,  Thy 
Avill  be  done." 

The  following  epitaph  is  on  his  gravestone  :  "  His  uniform 
christian  deportment,  his  zeal,  fidelity  and  success  in  the 
cause  of  Christ,  have  engraven  his  memorial  imperishably 
upon  the  hearts  of  those  who  knew  him."  "  Blessed  is  that 
servant  whom  his  Lord,  when  he  cometh,  shall  find  so 
doing."  Mr.  Gary  left  two  children;  and  his  widow  has 
married  Rev.  Matthew  Kingman  of  Bethel,  Vt. 

10.  Rev.  Henry  B.  Hosford  was  ordained  as  the  tenth 
pastor  of  this  church,  May  28,  1850,  and  after  a  ministry  of 
about  three  years  was  dismissed,  March  2,  1853.  Mr.  Hos- 
ford was  born  in  Williamstown  in  1819;  graduated  at  Wil- 
liams in  1843  ;  was  a  tutor  in  Williams  Gollege  from  1844 
to  1848  ;  studied  theology  at  that  institution  ;  was  licensed 
by  the  Berkshire  Association  in  1847 ;  after  leaving  Sunder- 


UNDERLAND. 


391 


land  removed  to  Williamstowii,  and  supplied  the  place  of 
Professor  Tatlock  in  Williams  College  during  the  temporary 
absence  of  the  Professor,  till  he  was  appointed  to  a  Profes- 
sorship of  Intellectual  Philosophy  and  Rhetoric  in  the 
Western  Reserve  College,  in  the  fall  of  1853,  and  accepted 
the  appointment. 

11.  Rev.  Sereno  D.  Clark  was  installed  as  the  eleventh 
pastor  of  this  church,  May  31,  1853,  and  is  naw  pastor 
there.  As  Mr.  Clark  was  formerly  a  pastor  in  Ashfield,  a 
further  notice  of  him  may  be  found  in  the  account  of  the 
pastors  in  that  place. 

This  church  has  had  more  pastors  than  any  other  church  in 
the  county.  Of  its  eleven  pastors  seven  have  been  dismissed  ; 
one  was  killed  by  the  Indians  ;  one  became  a  member  of 
Congress ;  three  are  living  ;  and  the  average  length  of  their 
ministry  in  Sunderland  was  about  nine  years. 

CONGREGATIONAL    MINISTERS    WHO    ORIGINATED    FROM 
SUNDERLAND. 

1.*  Rev.  Edward  Billings  is  supposed  to  have  been  a 
native  of  Sunderland  ;  and,  as  he  was  a  pastor  in  Greenfield, 
a  further  notice  of  him  may  be  found  in  the  account  of  the 
pastors  of  the  first  church  in  that  town. 

2.  Rev.  Eli  F.  Cooley  was  born  in  Sunderland,  Oct.  15, 
1781,  and  in  1796  removed  to  Hartford,  Ct. ;  graduated  at 
Nassau  Hall  in  1806 ;  studied  theology  at  that  institution 
with  the  President,  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  S.  Smith ;  was  licensed 
by  the  Presbytery  of  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  in  October, 
1809;  was  ordained  as  pastor  in  Cherry  Valley,  N.  Y.,  Feb. 
6,  1811,  and  was  dismissed  from  there  about  1820;  was  in- 
stalled at  Middletown  Point,  N.  J.,  in  September,  1820  ;  and 
dismissed  from  there  about  1823  ;  was  installed  pastor  of  the 
first  Presbyterian  church  in  Trenton,  N.  J.,  June  4,  1823, 
where  he  now  preaches.  In  1846  Mr.  Cooley  had  7,500 
copies  of  the  ancient  New  England  Primer,  such  as  he 
studied  in  his  childhood  in  Sunderland,  printed  for  distribu- 
tion among  the  young  of  his  flock  and  among  others. 


392  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

3.  Rev.  Joseph  Field  was  born  in  Sunderland,  and  was 
a  pastor  in  Charlemont  many  years,  and  at  length  became 
a  Unitarian.  A  further  notice  of  him  may  be  found  in 
the  account  of  the  pastors  of  the  church  in  West  Charle- 
mont. 

4.  Rev.  Alpheiis  Graves  was  born  in  Sunderland,  and  was 
settled  as  a  pastor  in  Heath  ;  and  a  further  notice  of  him 
may  be  found  in  the  account  of  the  pastors  in  Heath. 

5.*  Rev.  Horatio  N.  Graves  was  born  in  Sunderland,  April 
7,  1806 ;  graduated  at  Yale  in  1826 ;  studied  theology  at 
New  Haven ;  spent  a  year  as  an  agent  in  behalf  of  Sabbath 
Schools  in  Ohio  and  Michigan ;  preached  one  year  in  Mid- 
dlefield  ;  was  settled  as  pastor  in  Townsend,  Vt.,  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1833 ;  was  dismissed  from  there  on  account  of  ill 
health  in  September,  1S4S  ;  resided  four  years  at  Hemp- 
stead, on  Long  Island,  N.  Y.,  and  engaged  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits and  preaching  occasionally,  as  his  health  would  allow  ; 
in  1852  removed  to  Orange,  N.  J.,  where  he  died  Oct.  21, 
1852,  aged  46.  He  enjoyed  the  instruction,  example  and 
prayers  of  a  pious  mother.  At  five  years  of  age  he  had 
read  through  the  New  Testament.  In  1839,  ninety  persons 
were  admitted  to  his  church  in  Townsend,  Yt.  He  married 
Miss  Martha  Arms  of  Conway,  by  whom  he  had  four  sons 
and  one  daughter ;  he  buried  one  son  in  1845.  His  ordina- 
tion sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Tertius  S.  Clarke.  His 
labors  were  highly  acceptable  and  useful  to  the  people  of 
his  charge.  Although  he  experienced  trials  among  them, 
strong  and  ardent  attachment  subsisted  between  him  and 
them.  He  was  naturally  modest,  diffident,  and  inclined  to 
put  a  low  estimate  upon  himself.  Several  times  he  was  re- 
quested by  his  hearers  to  publish  some  of  his  sermons,  but 
he  would  decline,  saying,  ''  They  are  of  no  merit."  In  his 
sickness  he  expressed  great  humility.  At  the  approach  of 
death  he  manifested  strong  confidence  in  Christ,  saying, 
"I  have  committed  all  to  him.  To  whom  else  shall  I  go." 
He  died  in  peace,  and  in  hope  of  a  glorious  immortality 


OF      SUNDERLAND.  393 

through  faith  in  a  crucified  Saviour.  Rev.  Hollis  Read 
preached  his  funeral  sermon. 

6.  Rev.  Aiisthi  O.  Hubbard,  was  born  in  Sunderland, 
Aug.  9,  1800,  and  removed  from  there  in  1804  to  Stanstead, 
Canada  East  ;  graduated  at  Yale  in  1824  ;  studied  theology 
under  the  direction  of  the  Baltimore  Presbytery  in  Maryland, 
and  likewise,  after  being  licensed  and  ordained,  spent  some 
two  or  three  years  from  1830  as  a  student  in  the  Seminary 
at  Princeton,  N.  J.  ;  was  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of 
Baltimore  in  October,  1826,  and,  after  preaching  a  year  and 
a  half,  was  ordained  as  a  missionary  to  labor  in  Frederic 
County,  Md.,  where  he  preached  two  or  three  years  ;  from 
1833  to  1834  instructed  in  Biblical  Literature  in  Princeton 
Seminary  ;  labored  three  years  as  a  missionary  in  Melbourne, 
Lower  Canada ;  in  1841  was  installed  as  a  pastor  in  Hard- 
wick,  Vt.,  where  he  remained  as  pastor  about  three  years, 
and  resided  there  about  two  years  afterwards  ;  in  1845  took 
charge  of  a  church  in  Barnet,  Vt.,  Avhere  he  remained  as  a 
preacher  till  1851  ;  since  which  time  he  has  been  employed 
as  a  teacher,  and  has  occasionally  supplied  neighboring 
churches,  residing  still  in  Barnet,  Vt.  The  late  Rev.  Dr. 
Nevins  of  Baltimore  preached  his  ordination  sermon  ;  and 
Rev.  President  Wheeler  of  Burlington  College  preached  his 
installation  sermon.  Mr.  Hubbard  has  published  a  small 
English  Grammar  and  five  Discourses  on  the  Sabbath. 

7*  Rev.  Jonathan  Hubbard,  it  is  supposed,  was  born  in 
Hatfield,  about  1702,  and  removed  in  early  life  to  Sunder- 
land where  he  lived  till  manhood  ;  graduated  at  Yale  in 
1724 ;  was  ordained  as  pastor  at  Sheffield,  Oct.  22,  1735 ; 
was  dismissed  from  there  in  1764  ;  continued  to  reside  in 
the  town,  and  died  there,  July  6,  1765,  in  his  62d  year. 
He  had  seven  sons,  all  of  whom  were  carried  to  the  church 
and  baptized  when  they  were  eight  days  old.  Says  a  cor- 
respondent, "  He  owned  considerable  land,  and  at  one  time 
came  near  being  dealt  with  by  the  church  for  being  so 
worldly-minded  as  to  raise  twenty  bushels  of  potatoes  in  one 
50 


394  CHURCHES      AND     MINISTERS 

year,  which  was  a  new  thing  in  those  days."  His  widow 
died,  March  28,  1776.  The  following  epitaph  is  recorded 
on  his  gravestone  in  Sheffield,  viz.  :  "  The  Rev.  Jonathan 
Hubbard  was  the  first  pastor  of  the  church  in  Sheffield. 
He  was  blest  with  a  lively  genius  and  solid  judgment.  His 
public  discourses  were  judicious,  and  his  conversation  in- 
structive." He  was  Moderator  of  the  Council  that  tried  the 
case  of  President  Edwards  at  Northampton,  and  dismissed 
him  from  that  church,  June  22,  1850. 

8.*  Rev.  Ochiis  G.  Hubbard  was  born  in  Sunderland, 
Jan.  7,  1805  ;  graduated  at  Amherst  in  1829  ;  finished  the 
theological  course  at  Andover  in  1832  ;  was  ordained  as  a 
pastor  in  Leominster,  May  23,  1833,  and  Rev.  Dr.  John 
Brown,  then  of  Hadley,  preached  the  sermon  ;  was  dismissed 
from  there,  June  17,  1851  ;  then  preached  at  Wolfboro', 
N.  H.,  at  Erving,  at  Cape  Elizabeth,  Me.,  and  at  East  Fal- 
mouth ;  at  the  last  named  place  he  died,  Aug.  14,  1852, 
aged  47.  Previous  to  his  settlement  at  Leominster,  he 
preached  at  Sunderland,  and  was  invited  to  settle  there. 
During  his  ministry  at  Leominster,  his  congregation  in- 
creased from  80  to  300.  His  remains  were  removed  from 
East  Falmouth  to  the  cemetery  in  Leominster,  and  interred 
in  presence  of  a  congregation  of  five  or  six  hundred  people. 
His  former  church  and  society  have  erected  a  beautiful  mon- 
ument to  his  memory,  at  an  expense  of  $130.  Upon  it  is 
inscribed  the  passage,  "  Remember  the  words  I  spake  while 
I  was  yet  with  you."  Mr.  Hubbard  published  a  dedication 
sermon.  He  married  Miss  Martha,  a  daughter  of  Deacon 
Jacob  Smith  of  Hadley,  by  whom  he  had  five  children,  three 
of  whom  are  living. 

The  following  extract  of  an  obituary  notice  of  him  was 
published  in  the  Puritan  Recorder  :  "  Having  completed  his 
course  of  theological  studies,  he  soon  after  settled  over  the 
Orthodox  society  in  Leominster,  and  continued  there  about 
nineteen  years.  The  church  and  society,  at  first  small  and 
feeble^  were  greatly  increased  and  prospered  under  his  min- 


OF     SUNDERLAND.  395 

istry.  His  amiable  disposition,  and  uniformly  consistent, 
dignified,  and  christian  deportment,  won  for  him  the  respect 
and  confidence  even  of  those  who  differed  from  him  in  their 
religious  views  ;  and  he  was  often  associated  with  them  in 
the  superintendence  of  schools,  and  other  important  matters 
relating  to  the  general  interests  of  the  town.  He  was  a  dis- 
criminating and  successful  preacher,  a  wise  counselor,  and  a 
safe  guide  to  the  inquirer  after  the  way  of  salvation.  The 
various  objects  of  christian  benevolence  found  in  him  a  faith- 
ful and  efficient  friend. 

"  His  course  was  ever  onward  ;  but  he  was  not  given  to 
innovation  and  change,  and  never  adhered  to  custom  without 
reason,  nor  was  he  willing  to  destroy  foundations,  for  the 
sake  of  laying  others  by  his  own  hand.  He  was  not  one 
who  defeats  his  object  by  the  measures  pursued  ;  but  with  a 
well  disciplined  mind  and  comprehensive  views,  he  ju- 
diciously and  faithfully  sought  to  do  good.  His  piety  was 
deep  and  ardent,  and  his  character  was  a  beautiful  exempli- 
fication of  the  simplicity  and  godly  sincerity  of  the  gospel, 
and  calculated  to  convince  those  who  were  acquainted  with 
him  that  he  was  sincere,  earnest,  true  to  the  cause  of  his 
divine  Master.  In  his  last  moments  he  calmly  and  con- 
fidently reposed  in  the  covenant  faithfulness  of  God,  and  his 
end  was  peace. 

"  The  beloved  and  affectionate  people  of  his  charge  have 
met  with  a  severe,  not  to  say  an  irreparable  loss.  After 
passing  through  many  trials  in  regard  to  the  ministry,  they 
had  just  begun  to  concentrate  their  affections  on  him,  whose 
loss  they  now  deplore.  May  they  look  to  the  great  Shep- 
herd, who  is  able  to  provide,  that  he  would  send  them  a  man 
after  his  own  heart  to  break  to  them  the  bread  of  life.  For 
their  kindness  and  sympathy  with  the  deceased  and  his 
family,  they  will  not  lose  their  reward."  "  Blessed  are  the 
dead  who  die  in  the  Lord  ;  they  rest  from  their  labors,  and 
their  works  do  follow  them." 

9.  Mr.  Rodolphus  B.  Hubbard  was  born  in  Sunderland  in 


396  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

September,  1803  ;  lived  for  a  few  years  in  childhood  in 
South  Deerfield,  and  then  returned  to  Sunderland  ;  gradu- 
ated at  Union  in  1829  ;  studied  theology  with  Rev.  Nathan 
Perkins  of  East  Amherst ;  was  licensed  by  the  Hampshire 
Association  in  1837  ;  preached  for  short  periods  in  South 
Deerfield,  Hatfield,  Leverett,  and  several  other  places,  but 
for  several  years  past  has  relinquished  preaching.  He  was 
never  ordained.  He  has  been  employed  considerably  in 
teaching.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Massachusetts 
Legislature,  and  of  the  Executive  Council.  He  resides 
in  Sunderland. 

Of  the  tiine  preachers  reckoned  as  sons  of  Sunderland, 
eight  were  probably  natives  of  the  town  ;  eight  were  grad- 
uates ;  eight  have  been  ordained  ;  one  became  a  Unitarian  ; 
and  five  are  living. 

Rev.  Pindar  Field  was  born  in  Sunderland,  but  removed 
at  the  age  of  one  year  to  Hawley,  and  is  reckoned  among 
the  ministers  of  that  town.  Rev.  Eli  Smith,  late  of  Hollis, 
N.  H.,  resided  here  for  a  time  before  entering  upon  the 
ministry.  Rev.  Samuel  Fisher,  D.  D.,  was  born  in  Sun- 
derland, but  soon  removed  to  Conway,  and  a  notice  of  him 
may  be  found  in  the  account  of  the  Conway  ministers. 

OTHER     DENOMINATIONS. 

Baptists.  The  Baptist  church  in  the  north  part  of  this 
town,  called  the  Sunderland  and  Montague  Baptist  Church, 
as  a  portion  of  the  members  reside  in  Montague,  was  organ- 
ized in  1822.  The  following  ministers  have  supplied  this 
church,  viz..  Revs.  Hosea  Trumbull,  Elias  Johnson,  Elijah 
Montague,  Erastus  Andrews  from  1831  to  183.5,  and  from 
1836  to  1839,  and  from  1844  till  this  time ;  Lorenzo  Rice, 
Artemas  Piper,  and  Samuel  Everett.  Rev.  Noah  Baker  and 
Rev.  Nathaniel  Rice,  Baptist  ministers,  originated  from  Sun- 
derland. 

Unitarians.  One  Congregational  minister  originating 
from  Sunderland,  became  a  Unitarian,  viz..  Rev.  Joseph 
Field  of  Charlemont. 


OF     AVARWICK,  397 

Summary  of  preachers  who  origmated  from  Siinderlaud  : 
Orthodox  Congregationalists,  9  ;  Baptists,  2  ;  Unitarians, 
1.     Total,   12. 

WARWICK. 

According  to  Hayward's  Gazetteer  of  Massachusetts, 
"  the  territory  of  this  town  was  granted  in  1736  to  the 
descendants  of  thirty-nine  soldiers  who  went  from  Roxbury 
and  Brookline,  under  Captain  Andrew  Gardner,  in  an  ex- 
pedition to  Canada  in  1690  ;  all  of  whom  perished,  save  one, 
by  the  name  of  Newell.  The  tract  was  called  Roxbury 
Canada,  until  its  incorporation  by  its  present  name  in  1763, 
[Feb.  17.]  It  was  first  settled  about  1744,  and  the  first 
church  was  formed,  and  the  first  minister,  the  Rev.  Lemuel 
Hedge,  was  settled  in  1760.  The  Indian  name  of  the  terri- 
tory was  Shaomet.^^  The  population  of  the  town  in  1850 
was  1,021.  There  have  been  organized  in  this  town  three 
churches,  viz.,  one  Congregational  church,  that  has  become 
Unitarian  within  half  a  century,  one  Orthodox  Congrega- 
tional, one  Baptist,  and  a  Universalist  society. 

ORTHODOX    CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

First  Church.  The  first  Congregational  church  in  War- 
wick was  organized,  Dec.  3,  1760,  with  twenty-six  members, 
on  the  day  of  the  ordination  of  the  first  pastor.  It  became 
Unitarian  since  the  beginning  of  the  present  century.  "  The 
first  Meeting-house  was  raised,  April  28,  1756,  but  was  not 
finished  so  as  to  be  occupied  till  the  spring  of  1760.  The 
second  meeting-house  was  erected  probably  in  1787,  but  not 
completed  till  the  autumn  of  1789.  The  third  house  of 
worship  belonging  to  this  people,  and  the  one  now  occupied 
by  them,  was  built  in  1836."  Between  the  death  of  the 
first  pastor  and  the  settlement  of  the  second.  Rev.  John 
Mellens  of  Lancaster  preached  to  this  people  several  months. 
Just  previous  to  the  settlement  of  the  third  pastor,  the  late 


398  CHURCHES      AND      MINISTERS 

Rev.  Phineas  Cook  preached  for  a  time  to  this  people.  This 
church  had  existed  about  fifty-four  years,  when  its  third 
pastor,  who  was  their  first  Unitarian  pastor,  was  settled.  In 
this  time,  the  church  had  a  settled  ministry  about  fifty  years, 
and  was  destitute  of  settled  pastors  about  Tour  years. 
Two  pastors  were  settled  over  this  church  before  it  became 
Unitarian. 

Pastors.  1.*  Rev.  Lemuel  Hedge  was  settled  as  the 
first  pastor  of  this  church  on  the  day  of  its  organization, 
Dec.  3,  1760.  He  was  born  in  Hardwick  about  1733  ;  grad- 
uated at  Cambridge  in  1759  ;  and,  after  a  ministry  of  nearly 
seventeen  years,  died  while  a  pastor  at  Warwick,  Oct.  17, 
1777,  in  the  44th  year  of  his  age.  On  his  monument  is  the 
following  inscription :  "  In  private  life  he  was  cheerful,  ex- 
emplary, and  benevolent.  In  his  ministerial  character,  faith- 
ful, solemn,  and  instructive.  In  full  belief  of  the  truths  he 
preached  to  others,  he  fell  asleep  in  Jesus,  with  the  christian 
hope  of  rising  again  to  eternal  life." 

His  ordination  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Mr.  Forbes. 
He  was  the  father  of  Levi  Hedge,  LL.  D.,  a  professor  in 
Cambridge  College,  and  the  author  of  Hedge's  Logic. 

Mr.  Hedge  appears  to  have  experienced  great  trouble  on 
account  of  political  differences,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  fol- 
lowing extracts.  On  the  6th  of  March,  1775,  the  town  of 
Warwick  voted,  "  The  inhabitants  do  concur  with  the  resolve 
and  recommend  of  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  of 
Northfield,  Athol  and  Warwick  to  disarm  and  confine  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Hedge  to  the  town  of  Warwick,  without  a  permit 
from  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  of  said  town." 

"  July  17.  The  meeting  having  assembled  at  the  adjourn- 
ment, the  committee  on  Mr.  Hedge's  matters  made  a  report 
as  follows  :  Mr.  Hedge  proposes  that  he  will,  upon  the 
town's  rescinding  the  vote  to  disarm  and  confine  him  to  said 
town,  pledge  his  honor  that  he  will  not  influence  or  preju- 
dice the  minds  of  the  people  against  the  common  cause 
which  the  country  is  engaged  in  :  and  will  join  with  the 


OF     WARWICK.  399 

town  ill  three  proposals  :  1st.  To  leave  it  to  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  province  ;  2d.  To  a  mutual  council  ;  3d. 
To  any  set  of  judicious  men  the  town  and  he  would  agree 
on.  On  the  report's  being  made,  a  motion  was  made  to  re- 
scind the  vote,  but  it  passed  in  the  negative." 

The  American  Quarterly  Register  makes  this  statement 
respecting  Mr.  Hedge  :  "  He  was  much  persecuted  as  un- 
patriotic, but  his  annoyance  could  not  have  been  of  long 
duration,  as  his  life  was  cut  olf  in  its  prime.  Of  his  perse- 
cutions, a  specimen  is  given  in  the  following  anecdote.  A 
lawless  company,  forty  or  more,  had  taken  him  into  custody 
and  brought  him  to  Northampton,  with  a  view  to  his 
imprisonment  there  ;  but  their  course  being  seen  to  be 
wholly  without  warrant,  they  were  enforced  to  release 
him.  The  excitement  and  fatigue  to  which  he  was  then 
subjected,  were  said  to  have  occasioned  the  fever  by  which 
he  was  shortly  carried  off." 

Rev.  Preserved  Smith,  the  third  pastor  of  the  church,  has 
given  the  following  sketch  of  Mr.  Hedge  :  "  At  the  time  of 
his  settlement  the  town  was  new  and  the  population  sparse, 
so  that  he  was  obliged,  in  some  instances,  in  performing 
parochial  duties,  to  find  his  way  from  house  to  house  by  the 
aid  of  marked  trees.  He  is  said  to  have  been  a  man  of 
good  talents,  of  great  energy  of  character,  and  of  liberal 
views  in  theology.  Those  who  recollected  him  and  sat 
under  his  ministry,  ever  spake  of  him  as  an  earnest 
preacher  and  strongly  endeared  to  his  people ;  being  ready 
to  bear  with  them  the  sacrifices  incident  to  building  up  a 
parish  amid  a  primitive  settlement.  His  ministry  appears  to 
have  been  highly  blessed,  as  his  church  included  nearly  all 
the  congregation,  so  far  as  the  heads  of  families  were  con- 
cerned. If  any  such  did  not  belong  to  the  church,  they 
were  the  exceptions  and  not  the  rule.  When  the  revolution 
commenced  he  was  suspected,  by  some  who  were  ultra  lib- 
erty men  and  violent  and  rash  in  their  measures,  of  leaning 
towards  the  tory  side  of  the  controversy  which  agitated  the 


400  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

country ;  and  the  ill  treatment  which  he  received  from  that 
source  so  wounded  his  sensitive  mind  that  it  preyed  on  his 
health,  and  no  doubt  tended  to  accelerate  the  disease  which 
terminated  his  life.  His  death  was  felt  to  be  a  great  loss  to 
his  people,  for  he  had  been  to  them  a  father,  counsellor  and 
friend.  They  had  shared  in  his  tender  and  fraternal  sympa- 
thies under  all  their  hardships,  privations  and  trials  ;  and  the 
society  which  he  had  led  by  the  hand,  in  its  infancy,  seemed 
to  require  his  fostering  care  to  give  it  a  greater  maturity  and 
growth.  But  God,  who  does  not  forget  his  people,  did  not 
forsake  this  little  flock.  His  friends  did  not  think  him 
enough  of  a  tory  to  impair  his  patriotism.  A  letter  from  him 
was  found  in  the  pocket  of  his  friend  and  classmate,  Gen. 
Warren,  who  fell  at  Bunker  Hill  in  1775.  In  that  letter  he 
professed  a  sincere  interest  in  the  liberty  of  his  country, 
though  he  had  doubts  as  to  the  issue  of  the  struggle  in 
which  his  countrymen  were  about  to  engage." 

2.*  Rev.  Samuel  Reed  was  settled  as  the  second  pastor 
of  this  church,  Sept.  23,  1779,  and  after  a  ministry  of  about 
thirty-three  years,  died  while  a  pastor  at  Warwick,  July  31, 
1812,  aged  57.  Mr.  Reed  was  born  in  Middleboro'  in  1755 ; 
graduated  at  Yale  in  1777 ;  and  his  funeral  sermon  was 
preached  by  Rev.  Joseph  Kilburn  of  Wendell. 

Rev.  Preserved  Smith,  his  successor  at  Warwick,  says  of 
him :  "He  entered  literally  into  the  labors  of  his  prede- 
cessor, and  successfully  continued  the  work  which  had  been 
so  well  begun.  He  possessed  an  original  mind,  and  had  he 
enjoyed  larger  opportunities  for  literary  and  theological  cul- 
ture, he  would  have  held  a  high  rank  in  his  profession.  He 
belonged  to  the  Arminian  class  of  divines  ;  and  his  preaching, 
it  is  said,  was  much  of  a  practical  character,  seasoned  with 
good  common  sense.  He  was  a  man  of  great  social  quali- 
ties, and  his  conversational  powers  were  unusually  brilliant. 
It  was  owing  to  his  agreeable  intercourse  with  his  people, 
that  he  was  so  much  indebted  for  the  stronghold  he  had  on 
their  esteem  and  affections.     His  ministry  was  peaceful  and 


OF     WARWICK.  401 

prosperous,  during  which  the  town  reached  the  acme  of  its 
population,  and  under  which  the  church  was  much  in- 
creased, numbering  at  the  time  of  his  decease  one  hundred 
and  fifty.  He  died  in  1812,  in  the  57th  year  of  his  age, 
and  in  the  33d  of  his  ministry,  deeply  lamented  by  his  be- 
reaved flock,  who,  in  token  of  their  respect  for  his  memory, 
have  erected  a  marble  table  over  his  grave,  on  which  is 
graven  a  faithful  delineation  of  his  ministerial  character  and 
virtues."     The  following  is  the  epitaph  : 

"  He  had  strong  powers  of  mind, 
Was  bold  in  the  defence  of  the  truth, 
Severe  against  wickedness, 
Mild  towards  the  humble, 
Pitiful  to  the  distressed, 
Affectionate  to  his  friends, 
Frank  and  sincere  in  all  his  professions. 
Rational  and  fervent  in  his  piety, 
Faithful  in  his  pastoral  duties, 

He  taught  the  christian  doctrine  in  its  simplicity  and  power, 
He  maintained  the  freedom  of  the  human  mind, 
The  unchangeable  obligations  of  moral  duty, 
The  impartial  justice  of  God,  and  future  retribution. 
Under  the  vital  impression  of  this  faith 

He  felt  and  communicated  the  cheering  entertainments  of  life, 
And  enjoyed  the  richest  solace  and  triumph  in  death." 

Of  the  two  pastors  settled  over  this  church  previous  to  its 
becoming  Unitarian,  both  died  while  pastors  in  Warwick, 
and  the  average  length  of  their  ministry  in  this  place  was 
about  twenty-five  years.  A  notice  of  the  pastors  of  this 
church,  who  were  settled  after  it  became  Unitarian,  may  be 
found  in  the  account  of  the  Unitarian  pastors  in  Warwick. 

Second  Church.  The  second  Congregational  church  in 
Warwick,  and  now  the  only  Orthodox  Congregational 
church  in  the  town,  was  organized  June  10,  1829,  with 
thirty  members.  Their  first  and  present  Mep.ting-house  was 
built  in  1833.  Revivals  have  been  enjoyed  as  follows :  in 
1833,  and  twenty  were  added  to  the  church  ;  in  1835,  and 
51 


402  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

twenty  added.  A  council  was  called  by  this  church  to  settle 
difficulties  on  the  1st  of  Nov.,  1S53  ;  and  the  council  ad- 
journed to  meet  Dec.  13,  1853.  The  amount  given  by  this 
church  and  people  for  the  cause  of  christian  benevolence,  in 
1858,  was  $69  57.  The  number  of  members  in  the  church 
in  1853  was  fifty-six.  In  1852  the  Sabbath  School  num- 
bered fifty-six.  This  church  began  to  receive  charitable  aid 
to  support  the  gospel  in  1829,  and  has  received  $2,625. 

Previous  to  the  settlement  of  the  first  pastor  over  this 
church,  it  was  supplied  by  Rev.  Alvah  C.  Page,  Rev.  Job 
Cushman,  Rev.  Eliphalet  Strong,  Jr.,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Wilder 
from  Keene,  N.  H.  Since  the  dismission  of  Mr.  Hatch,  the 
church  has  been  supplied  a  part  of  the  time  by  Rev.  Daniel 
C.  Frost,  and  Mr.  Charles  E.  Bruce,  a  Licentiate  and  Pre- 
ceptor in  Northfield  Academy.  In  the  twenty-four  years 
since  this  church  was  organized,  it  has  had  a  settled  min- 
istry about  nineteen  years,  and  has  been  destitute  of  the 
same  about  five  years.     This  church  has  had  two  pastors. 

Pastors.  1.  Rev.  Samuel  Kingsbury  was  settled  as  the 
first  pastor  of  this  church,  Nov.  6.  1833,  and  Rev.  Eli 
Moody,  then  of  Northfield,  preached  the  sermon ;  and,  after 
a  ministry  of  about  one  year  and  seven  months,  was  dis- 
missed June  30,  1835.  Mr.  Kingsbury  was  born  in  Frank- 
lin, May  18,  1798  ;  graduated  at  Brown  in  1822,  and  fin- 
ished his  theological  studies  at  Andovei'  in  1825 ;  was 
ordained  in  Andover,  N.  H.,  Jan.  14,  1829,  and  Rev.  Dr. 
Church,  then  of  Pelham,  N.  H.,  preached  the  sermon ;  and 
was  dismissed  from  there,  Jan.  11,  1830;  was  installed  at 
Jamaica,  Vt.,  May  19,  1831,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Newton,  then  of 
Marlboro',  Vt.,  preached  the  sermon  ;  and  was  dismissed  from 
there  March  5,  1833  ;  after  leaving  Warwick,  preached  in 
Middlesex,  Vt.,  and  Worcester,  Vt.  ;  and  then  preached  at 
Underbill,  Vt.,  three  years,  from  1836  to  1839 ;  then  taught 
the  Academy  in  Jericho,  Vt.,  a  year  and  a  half;  then  preached 
at  Thornton,  N.  H.,  a  year ;  and  for  about  thirteen  years 
past  has  been  employed  in  agriculture,  in  Tamworth,  N.  H., 


OF     WARWICK.  403 

occasionally  teaching  and  preaching,  where  he  now  resides. 
Revivals  were  enjoyed  under  his  labors  in  Jamaica,  Vt.,  and 
in  Warwick. 

2,  Rev.  Roger  C.  Hatch  was  settled  as  the  second  pastor 
of  this  church,  Dec.  23,  1835,  and,  after  a  ministry  of  about 
seventeen  years  and  a  half  in  Warwick,  was  dismissed,  June 
22,  1853.  Mr.  Hatch  was  born  in  Middletown,  Ct.,  Sept. 
3,  1784  ;  graduated  at  Yale  in  1815;  studied  theology  with 
Rev.  Dr.  Osgood  of  Springfield ;  was  settled  as  pastor  at 
Hopkinton,  N.  H.,  Oct.  23,  1818,  and  was  dismissed  from 
there  in  June,  1831 ;  supplied  at  Newfane,  Vt.,  and  at  Hart- 
ford, Yt.,  and  at  Greenfield,  N.  H.,  Merrimac,  N.  H.,  and  at 
Swanzey,  N.  H.  Rev.  Dr.  Walter  Harris  preached  his  ordi- 
nation sermon ;  and  Rev.  Dr.  Barstow  of  Keene,  N.  H., 
preached  at  his  installation  in  Warwick.  Mr.  Hatch  spent 
a  few  months  as  a  missionary  in  Western  New  York,  in 
1817.  He  has  a  son.  Rev.  Junius  L.  Hatch,  who  is  a 
preacher  in  the  Congregational  denomination,  and  a  daugh- 
ter, who  is  the  wife  of  a  Methodist  minister  in  Canada.  Mr. 
Hatch  still  resides  in  Warwick. 

Of  the  two  pastors  settled  over  the  present  Orthodox  Con- 
gregational church  in  Warwick,  both  were  dismissed  ;  both 
are  living ;  and  the  average  length  of  their  pastorates  in 
this  place,  was  about  nine  years  and  a  half. 

CONGREGATIONAL    PREACHERS    ORIGINATING    FROM   WARWICK. 

1.  Rev.  John  Fiske,  D.  D.,  was  born  in  Warwick,  Oct. 
26,  1770  ;  graduated  at  Dartmouth  in  1791  ;  studied  theol- 
ogy with  Rev.  Dr.  Joseph  Lyman,  then  of  Hatfield  ;  was 
licensed  and  ordained  by  the  Northern  Hampshire  Associa- 
tion, May  6, 1794,  at  Hadley,  "  and  went  immediately  to  Sen- 
eca, N.  Y.,  and  preached  his  second  sermon  at  Geneva,  N.  Y., 
which  place  then  consisted  of  five  or  six  log  cabins,  and  one 
or  two  framed  houses."  Rev.  Rufus  Wells,  then  of  Whately, 
preached  the  sermon  at  his  ordination  as  an  Evangelist.  Dr. 
Fiske  afterwards  preached  at  Milford  and  North  Brookfield, 


404  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

and  was  installed  as  pastor  in  New  Braintree,  Oct.  26,  1796, 
and  Rev.  Dr.  Lyman  preached  on  the  occasion.  He  preached 
his  Half  Century  Sermon,  Oct.  26,  1846,  which  was  pub- 
lished ;  from  which  it  appears,  that  during  his  pastorate  of 
fifty  years  in  that  place,  three  hundred  and  fifty-nine  were 
received  to  his  church,  five  hundred  and  ninety-seven  deaths 
had  occurred  in  the  place,  and  he  had  attended  one  hundred 
and  twenty-one  councils.  Dr.  Fiske  still  continues  a  pastor 
in  New  Braintree.  He  has  long  been  a  trustee  of  Amherst  Col- 
lege, and  received  his  doctorate  from  that  institution  in  1844. 
He  had  a  brother,  Moses  Fiske,  who  was  a  licensed  preacher, 
but  soon  relinquished  preaching.  These  brothers  were  de- 
scendants of  David  Fiske,  who  fled  from  persecution  in 
England  and  settled  in  Watertown,  and  became  a  freeman 
there  in  1638,  of  whom  a  particular  account  is  given  in 
Mather's  Magnalia. 

2.*  Mr.  Moses  Fiske,  brother  of  Rev.  Dr.  John  Fiske, 
was  born  in  Grafton,  about  1759,  and  in  1770  removed  to 
Warwick  ;  graduated  at  Dartmouth  in  1786  ;  was  licensed, 
and  preached  only  a  few  times  ;  was  not  ordained  ;  was  a 
tutor  in  Dartmouth  College  from  1788  to  1795  ;  then  he  re- 
moved to  Tennessee,  and  lived  in  Hilham,  Overton  County, 
and  died  there  about  1842,  aged  83.  He  remained  single  till 
fifty  years  of  age,  and  then  reared  a  family  of  nine  children. 
He  manifested  a  strong  disapprobation  of  involuntary  servi- 
tude ;  never  was  the  owner  of  a  slave  ;  and  published  a  dis- 
course on  Negro  Slavery  in  the  United  States,  composed  on 
the  occasion  of  Thanksgiving,  Feb.  19,  1795.  He  published 
several  other  works. 

3.  Rev.  Nahiim  Gould  was  born  in  Warwick,  Dec.  25, 
1798  ;  graduated  at  Amherst  in  1825  ;  studied  theology  with 
Rev.  Dr.  Woodbridge,  of  Hadley,  and  Rev.  Daniel  A.  Clark, 
then  of  Bennington,  Vt. ;  was  licensed  in  February,  1827  ; 
preached  a  short  time  at  McDonough  and  Smithville,  N.  Y.  ; 
was  ordained  as  an  Evangelist  by  the  Chenango  Presby- 
tery, N.  Y.,  June  21,  1827 ;    then  preached  in  Cattaraugus 


OF     WARWICK.  405 

County,  N.  Y.,  in  Union,  Broome  County,  N.  Y.,  and  vari- 
ous places  in  that  State  ;  was  installed  pastor  at  Union,  N.  Y., 
in  1832  ;  afterwards  preached  in  Nichols,  Penn,  ;  and  has 
been  preaching  in  Illinois  about  twenty  years.  His  present 
field  of  labor  is  Northville,  La  Salle  County,  111.  Interest- 
ing revivals  have  attended  his  labors.  In  1828,  he  married 
Miss  Rebecca  B.,  a  daughter  of  Deacon  Francis  Leonard,  of 
Warwick. 

4.  Rev.  Junius  L.  Hatch,  a  son  of  Rev.  Roger  C.  Hatch, 
who  was  a  pastor  in  the  Orthodox  Congregational  church  in 
Warwick,  was  born  in  Hopkinton,  N.  H.,  May  1,  1825 ;  re- 
moved t.o  Warwick  when  about  ten  years  of  age  ;  graduated 
at  Amherst  in  1849  ;  studied  theology  at  the  Union  Theologi- 
cal Seminary  in  New  York  and  at  New  Haven  ;  was  licensed 
by  the  Monadnoc  Association  in  New  Hampshire,  in  1851  ; 
has  preached  at  Northfield,  Cazenovia,  N.  Y.,  Brooklyn, 
N.  Y.,  and  at  Gloucester,  where  he  was  ordained  as  pastor, 
Jan.  26,  1854.  Rev.  Dr.  Edward  Beecher  preached  on  the 
occasion. 

5.  Rev.  Francis  Leonard  was  born  in  Warwick,  Oct.  19, 
1817;  graduated  at  Knox  College,  Galesburg,  111.,  in  1846  j 
was  for  some  time  employed  in  teaching  in  Illinois;  was 
licensed  at  Byron,  111.,  by  the  Winnebago  and  Ogle  Congre- 
gational Association,  June  19,  1850 ;  was  ordained  as  an 
Evangelist,  Jan.  15,  1852,  at  Napierville,  111.,  and  Rev.  E. 
Goodman,  of  Chicago,  III.,  preached  on  the  occasion ; 
preached  for  a  time  at  Lee  Centre,  111.,  and  Palestine  Grove, 
111.  ;  labored  in  1851  as  an  agent  of  the  American  Bible 
Society  ;  in  July,  1851,  removed  to  Lyonsville,  111.,  and  still 
resides  there,  preaching  in  that  place  and  in  Brush  Hill,  111. 
In  1852  a  revival  attended  his  labors,  and  additions  were 
made  to  the  church.  He  is  a  son  of  the  late  Deacon  Leon- 
ard, of  Warwick,  and  a  brother-in-law  of  Rev.  Nahum  Gould, 
of  Northville,  Illinois. 

6.  Rev.  Sioan  L.  Potnroy,  D.  D.,  was  born  in  Warwick, 
March  4,  1799,  and  resided  there  until  he  entered  college, 


406  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

with  the  exception  of  the  years  1806  and  1807,  which  he 
spent  in  West  Rutland,  Vt.  The  ashes  of  his  parents  and 
of  both  his  grandfathers  and  their  wives,  repose  in  Warwick. 
His  maternal  grandfather,  Mr.  Abraham  Barnes,  was  one  of 
the  original  proprietors  and  early  settlers  of  the  town.  ■  Dr. 
Pomroy  graduated  at  Brown  in  1820 ;  studied  theology  at 
Andover ;  was  licensed  by  the  North  Association  of  New 
Haven,  Ct.,  in  August,  1824  ;  was  ordained  as  a  pastor  of 
the  First  Congregational  Church  in  Bangor,  Me.,  August  31, 
1825,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Payson,  then  of  Portland,  Me.,  preached 
on  the  occasion.  Dr.  Pomroy  was  elected  one  of  the  Secre- 
taries of  the  American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  .Foreign 
Missions,  in  September,  1848,  and  was  dismissed  from  his 
pastoral  charge  in  Bangor,  Me.,  in  October,  1848,  and  since 
then  has  lived  in  Boston  and  officiated  as  a  Secretary  of  the 
Board.  In  1845-6,  Dr.  Pomroy  made  a  tour  in  Europe  and 
in  Palestine.  He  received  a  doctorate  from  Bowdoin  Col- 
lege in  1847,  and  a  repetition  of  it  from  Brown  University, 
in  1848. 

7.  Rev.  Levi  Wheaton  was  born  in  Townsend,  Vt.,Oct.  4, 
1817,  and  removed  to  Warwick  when  about  one  year  of  age. 
He  graduated  at  Amherst  in  1845 ;  finished  the  theological 
course  at  Andover,  in  1848 ;  was  settled  as  a  pastor  at  West 
Gloucester,  Jan.  23,  1850.  Rev.  W.  Gale,  of  Rockport, 
preached  his  ordination  sermon.  Mr.  Wheaton  supplied  at 
West  Gloucester  some  length  of  time  previous  to  his  ordina- 
tion, and  is  still  the  pastor  there. 

Of  the  seven  Congregational  preachers  who  are  reckoned 
as  the  sons  of  Warwick,  four  are  natives  of  the  town ;  all 
were  graduates  ;  six  have  been  ordained  ;  two  have  received 
doctorates  ;  and  six  of  them  are  now  living. 

OTHER    DENOMINATIONS. 

Baptists.  The  Baptist  church  in  Warwick  was  set  off 
from  Royalston,  Feb.  14,  1843,  and  was  organized  into  an 
independent  church,  Aug.    30,   1843,  and  in   1851  had   52 


OF     WARWICK.  407 

members.  This  church  and  people  have  been  supplied  with 
preaching  as  follows,  viz.  :  by  Rev.  Ezra  M.  Burbank  from 
1843  to  1845 ;  by  Rev.  Lysander  Fay  from  1845  to  1847 ; 
by  Rev.  Samuel  S.  Kingsley  from  1847  to  1849  ;  by  Rev. 
L.  Fay  in  1849  ;  by  Rev.  Caleb  Sawyer  from  1850  to  1852. 
At  present  they  have  no  stated  supply.  The  following 
Baptist  ministers  originated  from  Warwick,  viz.  :  Rev.  Eb- 
enezer  D.  Barbour,  and  Rev.  Henry  Holman,  and  Rev.  J. 
Blake.  Also,  Rev.  Levi  Hodge  and  Rev.  John  Shepardson, 
Baptist  ministers,  lived  and  died  in  Warwick  many  years  ago. 

Episcopalians.  Rev.  Levi  B.  Stimson,  an  Episcopal  min- 
ister, originated  from  Warwick. 

Unitarians.  After  the  first  Congregational  church  be- 
came Unitarian  within  about  a  half  century  past,  it  has  been 
supplied  by  the  following  pastors  and  preachers,  viz.  :  Rev. 
Preserved  Smith  was  ordained  as  their  pastor,  Oct.  12,  1814, 
and  preached  his  farewell  sermon,  Oct.  12,  1844.  Rev.  D. 
H.  Barlow  supplied  from  1844  to  1847.  Mr.  Samuel  F. 
Clark  supplied  from  1847  to  1848.  Rev.  G.  F.  Clark  sup- 
plied from  1848  to  1852.  Rev.  Luther  Wilson,  of  Peters- 
ham, supplied  them  in  1853.  The  following  Unitarian 
preachers  originated  from  Warwick,  viz.  :  Mr.  Nathan  Ball,  a 
licentiate.  Rev.  Stilman  Barber,  Rev.  Amory  Gale,  and  Rev. 
John  Goldsbury. 

Universalists.  The  Universalist  Society  in  Warwick 
was  incorporated,  Feb.  25,  1814;  and  have  been  supplied 
by  Revs.  Robert  Bartlet,  John  Brooks,  Stilman  Clark,  T. 
Barrow,  E.  Davis,  and  John  H.  Willis  in  1851  and  1852, 
since  which  time  they  have  had  no  regular  preaching.  They 
have  no  meeting-house.  The  following  Universalist  preach- 
ers originated  from  Warwick,  viz.,  Revs.  Amory  D.  Mayo, 
Ebenezer  Williams  and  John  Williams. 

Summary  of  preachers  who  originated  from  Warwick  : 
Orthodox  Congregationalists,  7 ;  Baptists,  3 ;  Episcopalians, 
1  ;  Unitarians,  4 ;  Universalists,  3.     Total,  18. 


408  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 


WENDELL. 

"  This  town  was  formerly  a  part  of  Shutesbury  and  Erving, 
and  was  incorporated  May  8,  1781,  and  named  in  honor  of 
Oliver  Wendell,  Esq.,  a  very  worthy  man,  and  for  many 
years  president  of  the  Union  Bank  in  Boston,  the  second  in- 
stitution of  the  kind  in  Massachusetts.  Mr.  Wendell  was  a 
great  patron  of  this  town,  and  frequently  visited  it."  Its 
population  in  1850  was  950.  Two  churches  have  been  or- 
ganized in  Wendell,  one  Congregational  and  one  Baptist. 

CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

Church.  The  Congregational  church  in  Wendell  was 
organized,  Nov.  30,  1774,  with  20  members.  The  first 
Meeting -house  of  this  people  was  built  in  1782,  and  the  sec- 
ond and  present  house  of  worship  in  1846. 

Revivals  have  been  enjoyed  by  this  people  as  follows,  viz.: 
in  1817,  and  30  members  were  added  to  the  church  ;  in 
1825,  and  42  added  ;  in  1832,  and  14  added  ;  in  1843,  and 
22  added.  This  chii,rch  began  to  receive  charitable  aid  for 
the  support  of  the  gospel  in  1845,  and  has  received  $*250. 
The  number  of  members  in  this  church  in  1853  was  66. 
The  number  in  the  Sabbath  School  in  1852  was  60.  The 
amount  contributed  by  this  church  and  people  to  the  cause 
of  benevolence  in  1851  was  $136  50.  Previous  to  the  set- 
tlement of  the  first  pastor,  the  Congregational  people  attended 
meeting  for  some  length  of  time  in  Shutesbury,  and  were  a 
part  of  the  pastoral  charge  of  Rev.  Abraham  Hill  of  that 
town.  Since  the  dismission  of  their  last  pastor,  this  people 
have  been  supplied  a  part  of  the  time  by  Rev.  A.  B.  Foster, 
and  Rev.  Mr.  Ober  of  Amherst.  In  the  seventy-nine  years 
since  this  church  was  organized,  it  has  had  a  settled  ministry 
about  sixty-three  years,  and  has  been  destitute  of  the  same 
about  sixteen  years.     This  church  has  had  six  pastors. 

Pastors.     1.*  Rev.  Joseph  Kilburn  was  installed  as  the 


OF     WF-NDELL.  409 

first  pastor  of  this  church,  Oct.  8,  1783,  and  Rev.  Reuben 
Holcomb  of  Sterling  preached  the  sermon  on  the  occasion. 
After  a  ministry  of  about  thirty-two  years,  Mr.  Kilburn  died 
while  a  pastor  in  Wendell,  Feb.  27,  1816,  aged  61.  He  was 
born  in  Stirling  in  1754 ;  graduated  at  Cambridge  in  1777  ; 
was  settled  as  a  pastor  in  Chesterfield,  Nov.  9,  1780  ;  mar- 
ried Miss  Lidia  Baker,  who  died,  Oct.  11,  1803,  aged  43; 
has  left  several  children  ;  his  funeral  sermon  was  preached 
by  Rev.  Thomas  Mason  of  Northfield.  The  epitaph  on  his 
gravestone  is  as  follows,  viz.  : — 

"  How  happy  are  the  truly  wise, 

Who  learn  to  keep  the  sacred  road  ; 
How  happy  they  whom  Heaven  employs 
To  turn  rebellious  men  to  God." 

"  He  maintained  the  dignity  of  the  Supreme  Being,  and,  by 
the  purity  of  his  life,  the  simplicity  of  the  gospel.  While  in 
life  he  was  honored,  and,  through  mercy,  is  happy  in  death." 
He  published  several  funeral  sermons  ;  one  of  which  was 
preached  at  the  funeral  of  Rev.  Judah  Nash  of  Montague. 
He  was  considered  as  an  Arminian  in  sentiment. 

2.*  Rev.  Hervey  Wilbur  was  settled  as  the  second  pastor 
of  this  church,  Jan.  1,  1817,  and  Rev.  Daniel  Dana,  D.  D., 
of  Newburyport  preached  the  sermon  on  the  occasion,  which 
was  published.  Mr.  Wilbur  was  born  iji  Worthington,  July 
20,  1786  ;  he  never  graduated  at  any  college,  but  obtained 
a  thorough  education.  He  was  deeply  interested  in  the  in- 
tellectual and  religious  education  of  the  young.  After  a 
ministry  of  about  five  years  and  a  half  in  Wendell,  he  was 
dismissed.  Aug.  21,  1822,  and  was  never  again  settled  in  the 
ministry.  Having  long  resided  at  Newburyport  he  died 
there,  Jan.  5,  1852,  aged  65.  He  left  a  widow,  four  sons 
and  a  daughter.  His  oldest  son  is  Superintendent  of  the 
New  York  State  Idiot  Asylum  at  Albany. 

The  sermon  at  his  funeral  was  preached  by  Rev.  Luther 
F.  Dimmick,  D.  D.,  of  Newburyport,  and  an  extract  from  it 
52 


410  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

was  published  in  the  Puritan  Recorder,  and  also  in  the  New- 
buryport  Herald. 

3.  Rev.  John  Duncklee  was  settled  as  the  third  pastor, 
March  26,  1823,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Chickering  of  Phillipston 
preached  the  sermon  on  the  occasion.  After  a  ministry  of 
about  seven  years  in  Wendell,  he  was  dismissed,  March  24, 
1830.  Mr.  Dunklee  was  born  in  Greenfield,  N.  H.,  Feb.  26, 
1792  ;  graduated  at  Dartmouth  in  1817;  finished  the  course 
of  theological  study  at  Andover  in  1820 ;  was  licensed  by 
the  Union  Association  in  New  Hampshire  in  1820  ;  and, 
since  leaving  Wendell,  has  been  chiefly  employed  in  agri- 
culture, and  is  living  on  the  farm  on  which  he  was  born  in 
Greenfield,  N.  H.  An  interesting  and  extensive  revival  was 
enjoyed  in  the  early  part  of  his  ministry  in  Wendell. 

4.  Rev.  William  Claggett  was  ordained  as  the  fourth 
pastor  of  this  church,  Oct.  27,  1830,  and  Rev.  Nathan  Per- 
kins, late  of  Amherst,  preached  the  sermon  on  the  occasion. 
After  a  ministry  of  about  seven  years  he  was  dismissed,  July 
11,  1837.  Mr.  Claggett  was  born  in  Litchfield,  N.  H.,  Feb. 
4,  1796  ;  and  lived,  after  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age,  in 
Newport,  N.  H.  ;  graduated  at  Dartmouth  in  1826  ;  studied 
theology  with  Rev.  Robert  Page  of  Bradford,  N.  H.,  and 
with  Rev.  Dr.  Wood  of  Boscawen,  N.  H.,  and  spent  six 
months  at  Andover  Theological  Seminary  ;  after  leaving 
Wendell  was  installed  at  Ludlow,  Vt.,  in  December,  1838, 
and  was  pastor  there  three  years  ;  then  preached  as  a  stated 
supply  at  Derby,  Vt.,  and  Northfield,  Yt.,  for  some  length  of 
time  ;  was  settled  at  West  Hartford, Vt.,  Jan.  30,  1849,  where 
he  still  remains  as  pastor. 

5.  Rev.  Salmon  Bennett  was  installed  as  the  fifth  pastor 
of  this  church.  May  2,  1838,  and  Rev.  Francis  Danforth, 
then  of  Winchester,  N.  H.,  preached  the  sermon  on  the 
occasion.  After  a  ministry  of  nearly  six  years  in  Wendell 
he  was  dismissed,  Sept.  26,  1844.  Mr.  Bennett  was  born  in 
Brattleboro',  Vt.,  Jan.  6,  1790  ;  graduated  at  Middlebury  in 
1815 ;    studied  theology  with  Rev.   Mr.  Newton,   then  of 


or     WENDELL.  411 

Marlboro',  Vt.  ;  was  settled  in  Winchester,  N.  H.,  Sept.  10, 
1817,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Barge  of  Brattleboro',  Vt.,  preached  on 
the  occasion  ;  was  dismissed  from  there,  Dec.  25,  1823  ; 
then  supplied  a  year  in  Roxbury,  N.  H.  ;  was  installed  in 
Marlboro',  N.  H.,  Sept.  27,  1825,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Robinson  of 
Stoddard,  N.  H.,  preached  the  sermon  on  the  occasion  ;  was 
dismissed  from  there  in  1832  ;  was  installed  as  colleague 
pastor  with  Rev.  Dr.  Wood  in  East  Boscawen,  N.  H.,  Dec. 
5,  1832,  and  remained  as  pastor  there  about  four  years  ; 
then  preached  a  year  at  Irvingsville  ;  after  leaving  Wendell 
he  resided  m  Heath,  and  supplied  the  new  Congregational 
church  there  during  its  brief  existence  ;  and  also  preached 
for  the  people  of  the  Baptist  denomination  in  the  place  for  a 
short  time  ;  after  leaving  Heath,  resided  in  Halifax,  Vt.,  and 
preached  in  one  or  the  other  of  the  Congregational  churches 
there  about  three  years  ending  in  1852.'  Since  1852,  Mr. 
Bennett  has  been  living  for  the  most  part  in  the  State  of 
New  York  ;  and  at  Sherman  Centre,  Chautauque  County,  N. 
Y.J  in  1853.  Revivals  were  enjoyed  under  his  labors  in  Win- 
chester, N.  H.,  in  Roxbury,  N.  H.,  in  Marlboro',  N.  H.,  and 
in  East  Boscawen,  N.  H. 

6.  Rev.  Noadiah  S.  Dickinson  was  ordained  as  the  sixth 
pastor  of  this  church.  May  27,  1847,  and  Rev.  James  H. 
Merrill  of  Montague  preached  the  sermon  on  the  occasion. 
After  a  ministry  of  about  five  years  in  Wendell,  Mr.  Dickin- 
son was  dismissed,  Aug.  25,  1852.  He  was  born  in  Am- 
herst, March  22,  1815  ;  graduated  at  Amherst  in  1841  ; 
finished  his  theological  studies  at  Andover  in  1845  ;  preached 
in  Heath  a  short  time,  and  in  several  other  places,  previous 
to  his  ordination  ;  after  leaving  Wendell  was  installed  at 
Chatham,  Dec.  29,  1852,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Edward  Beecher  of 
Boston  preached  the  sermon  on  the  occasion.  Mr.  Dickinson 
is  still  a  pastor  at  Chatham. 

Of  the  six  pastors  of  this  church,  five  were  dismissed  ; 
four  are  living  ;  and  the  average  length  of  their  ministry  in 
Wendell  was  about  thirteen  years. 


412  CHURCHES      AND     MINISTERS 


CONGREGATIONAL     MINISTERS    WHO     ORIGINATED     FROM 
WENDELL. 

1.  Rev.  Warren  H.  Bcaman  was  born  in  Wendell,  Jan. 
7,  1813;  graduated  at  Amherst  in  1837;  studied  theology 
with  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  M.  Worcester  of  Salem  ;  was  licensed 
by  the  Essex  South  Association,  Jan.  7,  1840  ;  was  ordained 
as  a  pastor  in  North  Hadley,  Sept.  15,  1841,  after  having 
supplied  there  more  than  a  year  ;  Rev.  Dr. Worcester  preached 
his  ordination  sermon.  Several  revivals  have  been  enjoyed 
under  Mr.  Beaman's  ministry  in  North  Hadley,  where  he 
still  remains  as  pastor. 

2.*  Rev.  Joseph  Sm'vyer  was  born  in  Wendell  in  1792  ; 
and  having  been  a  pastor  in  Leverett,  a  further  notice  of  him 
may  be  found  in  the  account  of  the  Congregational  pastors 
of  that  town. 

Of  the  two  Congregational  ministers  \vho  originated  from 
Wendell,  both  were  natives  of  the  town ;  both  were  grad- 
uates ;  and  one  is  living. 

OTHER    DENOMINATIONS. 

Baptists.  The  Baptist  church  in  Wendell  was  organized, 
June  11,  1799,  and  it  contained,  in  1851,  80  members.  The 
following  are  among  the  preachers  who  have  supplied  it, 
viz..  Revs.  Ezra  Kendall,  Samuel  King,  David  Goddard, 
Aaron  Burbank,  Lysander  Fay,  William  Leach,  and  Mr. 
Clark  in  1853.  From  Wendell  have  originated  the  follow- 
ing Baptist  preachers,  viz.,  Revs.  Ezra  Fisher,  a  missionary 
in  Oregon;  Otis  Fisher,  David  Goddard,  Jr.,  Josiah  God- 
dard, a  missionary  in  China  ;  Hiram  A.  Graves,  J.  M. 
Graves,  and  J.  E.  Whitaker  ;  and  John  C.  Ball,  a  Freewill 
Baptist. 

Summary  of  preachers  who  originated  from  Wendell  : 
Congregationalists,  2  ;  Baptists,  8.     Total,  10. 


OF     WHATELY.  413 


WHATELY. 

^  This  town  was  originally  a  part  of  Hadley.  It  was  incor- 
porated, April  24,  1771.  Its  population  in  1850  was  1,101. 
Three  churches  have  been  organized  in  this  town,  viz.,  two 
Congregational  and  one  Baptist. 

CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

First  Church.  The  first  Congregational  church  in 
Whately  was  organized,  Aug.  24,  1771,  with  41  members. 
The  day  was  set  apart  by  a  vote  of  the  town  as  a  day  of 
fasting  and  prayer,  and  Revs.  Messrs.  Parsons  of  Amherst, 
Ashley  of  Sunderland,  Ashley  of  Deerfield,  Hopkins  of 
Hadley,  and  Emerson  of  Conway,  were  invited  to  be  present 
and  bear  a  part  in  the  services  of  the  occasion.  The  most 
of  the  members  organized  had  been  members  of  the  church 
in  Hatfield. 

Rev.  J.  Howard  Temple,  in  his  Historical  Discourse  re- 
specting Whately,  published  in  1849,  says :  "  A  custom 
prevailed  for  some  years  in  this  church,  as  in  other  Congre- 
gational churches  of  New  England  at  that  period,  of  receiv- 
ing persons  of  good  external  morality  to  '  covenant  privi- 
leges,' as  it  was  termed.  Individuals  of  ordinary  standing  in 
society,  who  would  acknowledge  a  belief  in  the  doctrines  of 
the  gospel,  as  set  forth  in  the  confession  of  faith,  and  would 
assent,  in  part,  to  the  covenant,  were  received,  by  vote,  as 
members,  in  a  limited  sense,  of  the  church.  They  were 
regarded  as  proper  subjects  of  discipline,  and  might  bring 
complaints  against  members  in  full  communion  ;  they  had 
the  privilege  of  baptism  for  themselves  and  families  ;  but 
were  debarred  from  the  communion  of  the  Lord's  Supper." 
This  custom  was  abolished  by  a  vote  of  the  church,  March 
16,  1816. 

For  several  years  this  people  having  no  meeting-house, 
met  for  worship  in  the  house  of  Oliver  Morton,  and  in  the 


414 


CHURCHES     AND     MINISTE: 


house  of  their  first  pastor.  Their  first  Meeting-house  was 
opened  for  worship  in  1773,  but  was  not  entirely  finished 
till  1797,  nor  publicly  dedicated  till  that  time.  '*  In  the 
spring  of  1819,"  says  Mr.  Temple's  Discourse,  "the  town 
voted  to  sell  the  pews  in  the  meeting-house  ;  and  in  this  and 
the  following  years,  a  large  number  of  them  were  sold.  Of 
the  avails  of  this  sale  of  the  pews,  a  steeple  was  built  upon 
the  south  end  of  the  house,  and  a  bell  purchased.  This  was 
done  in  1821-2.  The  people  now,  for  the  first  time,  heard 
the  sound  of  the  'church-going  bell.'  In  the  early  days  of 
the  town,  perhaps  till  1798,  it  was  customary  to  call  the 
people  together  on  the  Sabbath,  by  blowing  a  conch.  It  was 
blown  once,  an  hour  before  the  time  of  service,  and  again 
as  the  minister  was  approaching  the  house.  From  1798  to 
1822,  no  public  signal  was  given,  the  people  assembling  at 
their  pleasure."  The  meeting-house  was  remodeled  in  1843, 
and  the  original  frame  being  perfectly  sound,  was  left  unal- 
tered ;  and  this  is  their  present  house  of  worship.  Revivals 
have  been  enjoyed  by  this  people  as  follows,  viz.,  in  1816, 
and  51  were  added  to  the  church  ;  in  1826,  and  106  added  ; 
in  1834,  and  30  added  ;  in  1838,  and  34  added  ;  in  1842,  and 
45  added.  The  number  of  members  in  this  church  in  1853, 
was  132.  The  number  in  the  Sabbath  School  in  1852,  was 
60.  Councils  have  been  called  to  settle  difficulties  as  fol- 
lows, viz.  :  One  in  the  early  history  of  the  church ;  one, 
April  9,  1834  ;  March  5,  1835 ;  Jan.  18,  1843  ;  April  24, 
1844  ;  and  May  14,  1844.  Rev.  John  W.  Salter  was  invited 
to  settle  as  a  pastor,  Feb.  17,  1843,  and  declined  ;  Rev.  Por- 
ter H.  Snow  was  invited  to  settle,  April  10,  1845,  and  de- 
clined. This  church  was  supplied  between  the  pastorates 
of  the  second  and  third  pastors,  a  part  of  the  time,  by  the 
Revs.  Messrs  Packards,  of  Shelburne,  and  Rev.  John  East- 
man ;  and  between  the  pastorates  of  the  third  and  fourth 
pastors,  by  Rev.  Moses  Chase,  Rev.  Sumner  Lincoln,  Rev. 
Porter  H.  Snow,  Rev.  Mr.  Salter,  and  by  the  Faculty  of  Am- 
herst College.     In  the   eighty-two  years  since  this  church 


OF    WHATELT.  415 

was  organized,  it  has  had  a  settled  miiiist^  about  seventy- 
four  years,  and  has  been  destitute  of  the  same  about  eight 
years.     This  church  has  had  five  pastors. 

Pastors.  1.*  Rev.  Rufus  Wells  was  ordained  as  the 
first  pastor  of  this  church,  Sept.  25,  1771,  and  Rev.  Jona- 
than Ashley,  of  Deerfield,  preache^  the  sermon  on  the  occa- 
sion. Thirteen  churches  were  invited  on  the  council  ;  and 
the  ordination  services  were  held  under  the  shades  of  two 
large  oak  trees,  and  a  temporary  stage  was  built  for  the  min- 
isters. After  a  ministry  of  about  sixty-three  years,  during 
fifty  of  which  he  performed  pastoral  service,  he  died  while 
a  pastor  in  Whately,  Nov.  8,  1834,  in  the  92d  year  of  his 
age.  Mr.  Wells  was  born  in  Deerfield,  Sept.  29,  1743,  old 
style.  His  father,  Doct.  Thomas  Wells,  was  the  first  phy- 
sician that  lived  in  Deerfield,  and  was  an  extensive  farmer. 
Rev.  Mr.  Wells  graduated  at  Cambridge  in  1764  ;  was  li- 
censed at  Sunderland,  Nov.  8,  1769  ;  made  some  preparation 
to  preach  his  half  century  sermon,  but  failed  to  preach  it  ; 
published  several  sermons ;  married  Miss  Sarah  Porter,  a 
daughter  of  Rev.  Nehemiah  Porter,  of  Ashfield,  Dec.  16, 
1776,  who  died  April  27,  1796 ;  and  for  his  second  wife 
married  Mrs.  Temperance  Shepherd,  of  Sharon,  Ct.,  Jan.  4, 
1802,  who  died  Oct.  7,  1830.  He  had  nine  children.  He 
was  greatly  afflicted  by  the  death  of  his  first  wife,  and  his 
mind  was  so  much  affected  by  it,  that  application  was  made 
to  the  Association  by  some  of  the  people,  Nov.  6,  1798, 
for  their  advice  and  prayers.  A  day  of  fasting  and  prayer 
was  accordingly  appointed  to  be  observed  in  Whately  in 
reference  to  Mr.  Wells.  Rev.  Mr.  Taylor  of  Deerfield,  and 
Rev.  Mr.  Porter  of  Ashfield,  attended  and  preached  on  the 
occasion.  Mr.  Taylor  was  to  preach  in  the  morning,  and  had 
prepared  a  sermon  on  the  subject  of  derangement,  not  ex- 
pecting that  Mr.  Wells  would  attend  the  meeting.  During 
the  morning  service,  just  before  the  sermon,  Mr.  Wells,  con- 
trary to  the  expectation  of  all,  and,  it  is  believed,  without 
the  knowledge  of  the  family,  presented  himself  in  the  church. 


416  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

The  preacher  felt  unwilling  to  preach  such  a  sermon  as  he 
was  expecting  to  preach,  in  the  presence  of  Mr.  Wells,  from 
respect  to  his  feelings.  In  this  sudden  emergency  he  plead 
with  Mr.  Porter  to  preach,  who  refused,  and  insisted  upon  his 
proceeding  to  preach  the  sermon  he  had  prepared.  He  did 
so.  Mr.  Porter  preached  .in  the  afternoon.  Mr.  Wells  heard 
the  whole.  He  had  not  believed  himself  to  be  deranged, 
and  had  thought  his  friends  treated  him  strangely,  and  acted 
like  enemies.  Towards  the  close  of  the  afternoon  service, 
he  was  pondering  the  question,  why  his  friends  thus  treated 
him  ;  and  he  became,  for  the  first  time,  convinced  that  he 
was  deranged.  He  soon  began  to  recover,  eventually  be- 
came entirely  sane,  and,  for  many  years  afterwards,  preached 
as  usual. 

Mr.  Temple,  in  his  Historical  Discourse,  gives  the  follow- 
ing account  of  Mr.  Wells  :  "  He  continued  to  discharge  in 
full  the  duties  of  pastor  till  1S22,  a  period  of  fifty  years, 
when  the  infirmities  of  age,  then  apparently  about  to  break 
down  his  constitution,  induced  him  and  the  people  to  seek  a 
colleague.  At  the  same  time  he  consented  to  a  reduction  of 
one  hundred  dollars  from  his  yearly  salary.  After  this  date, 
however,  he  recovered,  in  a  measure,  his  strength,  and  would 
occasionally  exercise  the  functions  of  his  office,  till  near  the 
time  of  his  death.  His  last  (recorded)  public  act,  was  the 
marriage  of  his  grand-daughter,  Miss  Sarah  Wells,  to  Mr. 
Silas  Rice,  Nov.  8,  1831.  The  entry  of  this  in  the  church 
record,  in  his  own  hand,  now  tremulous  and  uncertain,  forms 
a  striking  contrast  to  the  plain,  bold  penmanship  of  liis  early 
prime.  *  *  *  The  sermon  at  his  funeral  was  preached  by 
Rev.  Nathan  Perkins,  of  Amherst,  who  was  then  the  oldest 
survivor  of  Mr.  Wells'  particular  associates.  It  would  be 
foreign  to  my  purpose  to  give  an  extended  analysis  of  the 
character  of  Rev.  Mr.  Wells.  Let  it  suffice  to  say,  that  as  a 
preacher  he  held  a  respectable  rank  among  his  cotemporaries  ; 
as  a  pastor,  he  was  preeminently  a  peace-maker ;  as  a  man, 
he  was  affable  and  of  good  social   qualities.     He  made  no 


OF    WHATELY.  417 

enemies,  and  was  kind  and  faithful  to  his  friends.  In  the 
course  of  his  ministry,  Mr.  Wells  married  305  couples,  and 
administered  baptism  to  956  persons.  He  wrote  about  3,000 
sermons ;  a  few  of  which  were  printed.  His  last  sermon, 
written  probably  with  no  idea  that  it  would  be  the  last,  was 
on  Heb.  iv.  9  ;  "  There  remaineth,  therefore,  a  rest  to  the 
people  of  God."  One  of  his  grandsons,  Rev.  Rufus  P. 
Wells,  is  a  Presbyterian  minister  in  Jonesboro',  Tennessee. 

2.  Rev.  Lemuel  P.  Bates  was  settled  as  the  second  pas- 
tor, and  as  a  colleague  with  Mr.  Wells,  Feb.  13,  1822,  and 
the  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Dr.  Moore,  then  president 
of  Amherst  College.  After  a  ministry  of  about  ten  years 
and  eight  months,  he  was  dismissed,  Oct.  17,  1832.  Mr. 
Bates  was  born  in  Blandford  in  1791,  but  is  supposed  to  have 
lived  in  early  life  chiefly  in  Southampton  ;  graduated  at  Wil- 
liams in  1818;  studied  theology  at  Princeton  Seminary; 
after  leaving  Whately,  was  installed  in  Templeton,  Jan.  15, 
1833,  and  Rev.  Parsons  Cook,  D.  D.,  then  of  Ware,  preached 
on  the  occasion  ;  was  dismissed  from  there  in  March,  1837  ; 
then  preached  five  years  in  Pontiac,  Michigan  ;  then  one 
year  in  Flint,  Mich. ;  then  four  years  in  Pontiac,  Mich. ; 
then  four  years  in  Conneautville,  Penn.  ;  and  then  in  various 
places  in  Ohio  ;  and  now  resides  in  Detroit,  Michigan.  He 
has  a  brother,  Rev.  Chandler  Bates,  who  is  a  Congregational 
minister. 

3.  Rev.  John  Ferguson  was  installed  as  the  third  pastor 
of  this  church,  March  16,  1836,  and  the  sermon  was  preached 
by  Rev.  Dr.  John  Todd  of  Pittsfield.  After  a  ministry  of 
about  four  years  in  Whately,  he  was  dismissed  June  17,  1840. 

Mr.  Ferguson  was  born  in  Dunse,  Berwickshire,  Scotland, 
Dec.  9,  1788.  His  father  removed  with  his  family  to  this 
country  in  1806  ;  and  he  came,  as  he  said,  "  to  seek  for  his 
family  a  country,  and  for  himself  a  grave."  Rev.  Mr.  Fer- 
guson never  graduated  at  any  college,  but  received  an  hon- 
orary A.  M.  from  Amherst  College  in  1837  ;  studied  theol- 
ogy with  Rev.  Dr.  Calvin  Park,  then  a  professor  in  Brown 
53 


418  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

University  ;  was  ordained  as  pastor  of  the  Second  Church  in 
Attleboro',  Feb.  27,  1822,  and  was  dismissed  from  there  in 
March,  1835 ;  after  leaving  Whately,  preached  in  Lanesboro' 
from  November,  1840,  till  1842  ;  in  1842  became  an  agent 
of  the  American  Tract  Society,  in  whose  service  he  is  still 
employed,  and  resides  in  Whately.  Mr.  Ferguson  for  his 
first  wife,  married  Mary  V.,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Hammet  of 
Newport,  R.  I,  ;  and,  for  his  second  wife,  Margaret  S.,  daugh- 
ter of  William  Eddy,  of  Providence,  R.  I.  He  has  had 
eleven  children,  eight  of  whom  are  living.  He  has  pub- 
lished several  sermons,  and  a  Memoir  of  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel 
Hopkins,  of  Newport,  R.  I. 

4.  Rev.  J.  Howard  Temple  was  settled  as  the  fourth  pas- 
tor of  this  church,  Sept.  30,  1845,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Joel  Hawes 
of  Hartford,  Ct.,  preached  the  sermon  on  the  occasion. 
After  a  ministry  of  about  six  years  and  a  half  in  Whately, 
he  was  dismissed  March  24,  1852.  Mr.  Temple  was  born 
in  Framingham,  March  2,  1815;  never  graduated  at  any 
college ;  studied  theology  with  Rev.  Dr.  Joel  Hawes  of 
Hartford,  Ct.  Since  his  dismission  he  has  resided  in  Fram- 
ingham. In  1849  he  published  a  historical  discourse  in 
reference  to  Whately. 

5.  Rev.  Charles  N.  Seymour  was  settled  as  the  fifth 
pastor  of  this  church,  March  9,  1853,  and  the  sermon  was 
preached  by  Rev.  Nahum  Gale,  then  a  Professor  in  the 
Seminary  at  East  Windsor  Hill.  Mr.  Seymour  was  born  in 
Hartford,  Ct.,  April  4,  1817;  graduated  at  Trinity  College 
(then  Washington  College)  in  1841;  studied  theology  at 
New  Haven,  and  pursued  his  collegiate  studies  chiefly  at 
Yale  College  ;  was  ordained  as  a  pastor  in  Huntington,  Ct., 
June  26,  1844,  and  Rev.  O.  E.  Daggett  of  Canandaigua,  N. 
Y.,  preached  the  sermon  on  the  occasion  ;  was  dismissed 
from  there  in  August,  1847  ;  then  preached  for  several  years 
as  a  stated  supply  at  Broad  Brook,  (East  Windsor)  Ct.,  and 
removed  from  there  to  Whately,  where  he  is  now  a  pastor. 

Of  the  jive  pastors  of  this  church,  three  were  dismissed  j 


OF     WHATELY.  419 

four  are  living  ;  one  was  a  pastor  of  the  church  more  than  a 
half  a  century ;  and  the  average  length  of  their  ministry  in 
Whately  was  about  fifteen  years. 

Second  Church,  The  second  Congregational  church  in 
Whately  was  organized,  Nov.  10,  1842,  with  17  members. 
[ts  first  and  present  Meeting-house  was  built  in  1843,  and  is 
situated  in  the  centre  of  the  town,  not  far  from  the  house  of 
worship  belonging  to  the  first  society.  The  number  of 
members  belonging  to  this  church  in  1853  was  87.  The 
number  in  the  Sabbath  School  in  1852  was  75.  The 
church  has  been  supplied  during  nearly  all  the  eleven  years 
of  its  existence  by  its  present  pastor,  who  was  settled  over 
it  about  one  year  after  its  organization. 

Pastor.  1.  Rev.  Jonathan  S.  Judd  was  ordained  as  the 
first  pastor  of  this  church,  Oct.  12,  1843,  and  the  sermon 
was  preached  by  Rev.  William  A.  Hawley  of  Plainfield. 
He  is  now  in  the  eleventh  year  of  his  pastorate  in  Whately. 
Mr.  Judd  was  born  in  Westhampton,  Feb.  4,  1816;  he  is 
a  descendant,  in  the  third  generation,  from  Rev.  Jonathan 
Judd,  who  was  the  first  minister  in  Southampton  ;  graduated 
at  Williams  College  in  1839 ;  and  finished  the  theological 
course  at  East  Windsor  Hill  in  1842. 

CONGREGATIONAL    MINISTERS    ORIGINATING     FROM    WHATELY. 

1.*  Rev.  Pomroy  Belden  was  born  in  Whately,  March  15, 
1811 ;  graduated  at  Amherst  in  1833  ;  finished  the  theologi- 
cal course  at  Andover  in  1836 ;  was  ordained  as  an  Evange- 
list by  Franklin  Association  at  Warwick,  Aug.  8,  1837,  and 
Rev.  Burr  Baldwin,  then  of  Ashfield,  preached  on  the  occa- 
sion ;  preached  as  a  stated  supply  in  the  Orthodox  church  in 
Deerfield  from  1837  to  1842  ;  was  installed  at  East  Amherst, 
Sept.  14,  1842;  and  died  while  a  pastor  there,  March  2, 
1849,  aged  38.  The  epitaph  on  his  gravestone  is  :  ''  For  me 
to  live  is  Christ,  and  to  die  is  gain."  Rev.  Dr.  John  Wood- 
bridge  of  Hadley  preached  his  funeral  sermon. 


420  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

He  married  for  his  first  wife  Miss  Loisa  Tenney  of  Gill  ; 
and  for  his  second  wife  Miss  Miranda  Smith  of  Hadley,  who 
died  in  1848.  An  intimate  acquaintance  says  of  him  :  "  Mr. 
Belden  was  miiversally  respected  and  beloved.  He  was 
studious,  systematic,  laborious,  and  successful  in  his  labors. 
He  possessed  a  rare  combination  of  excellencies."  The 
following  is  an  extract  from  the  notice  of  him  read  by  Pro- 
fessor W.  S.  Tyler  before  the  Alumni  of  Amherst  College 
in  1851:  "He  was  a  man  of  w^common  common  sense,  of 
business  talents,  and  practical  wisdom.  None  ever  called  in 
question  his  prudence  or  his  piety.  In  short,  he  was  pre- 
eminently a  good  man  and  a  model  pastor.  Hence,  though 
not  particularly  remarkable  for  his  pulpit  talents  or  his  theo- 
logical attainments,  he  was  greatly  beloved  and  universally 
lamented  by  the  people  of  his  charge." 

2.*  Rev.  Perez  Chapiii  was  born  in  Whately,  April  29, 
1783,  and  removed  with  his  father's  family,  about  1796, 
when  about  thirteen  years  of  age,  to  Ludlow,  and  soon  after 
to  Benson,  Yt.  ;  graduated  at  Middlebury  in  1808  ;  studied 
theology  with  Rev.  Abijah  Wines  of  Newport,  N.  H.  j  was 
licensed  at  Cornish,  N.  H.,  in  March,  1810;  preached  about 
six  months  in  Otisfield,  Me.  ;  was  ordained  as  a  pastor,  in 
Pownal,  Me.,  March  20,  1811,  and  the  sermon  on  the  occa- 
sion was  preached  by  Rev.  Dr.  Beman  of  Troy,  N.  Y. ;  and 
died  while  a  pastor  in  Pownal,  Me.,  Jan.  27,  1839,  aged  56. 
The  epitaph  on  his  gravestone  is  as  follows :  * 

"  In  life  beloved  and  revered, 
In  death  universally  lamented." 

He  had  nine  children,  six  of  whom  survived  him.  His 
funeral  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Asa  Cummings  of 
Portland,  Me.,  which  was  published,  and  from  which  the 
following  extracts  are  taken  : 

"  Were  I  called  on  to  point  a  young  aspirant  to  the  sacred 
office  to  a  model  of  a  minister  of  Jesus  Christ,  exhibiting 
the  scriptural  requisites  in  an  eminent  degree,  I  should  point 


OF     WHATELY. 


421 


to  Perez  Chapin.  *  *  *  His  mind  was,  I  think,  above  the 
ordinary  cast ;  but  however  this  may  be,  it  had  one  crown- 
ing excellence ;  it  was  well  balanced.     He  had   no  hobby. 

*  *  *  His  self-control  was  truly  exemplary.  He  governed 
his  temper.  In  an  intercourse  of  eighteen  years,  I  may  have 
witnessed  in  him  an  occasional  ruffling  of  the  feelings,  but 
never  heard  from  him  a  short  answer.  A  quality  this,  emi- 
nently conducive  to  the  peace  of  the  pastoral  relation,  and  the 
harmony  of  the  flock.  Nor  was  it  of  scarcely  less  value  in 
the  domestic  relations,  in  which  he  was  truly  affectionate, 
ruling  his  family  with  patriarchal  tenderness  and  love  ;  and 
making  his  house  the  abode  of  the  most  generous  hospitality. 

*  *  *  Mr.  Chapin  was  a  man  of  prayer.  Devotion  was 
his  element.  He  walked  with  God.  He  frequented  the 
presence  chamber  of  the  Almighty,  and  held  audience  with 
the  Deity.  *  *  *  He  loved  the  Bible ;  it  was  his  daily 
counselor.  He  drank  in  its  doctrines  with  exquisite  relish. 
He  loved  the  character  of  God  there  delineated ;  of  the  Re- 
deemer there  made  known.  He  loved  the  law  there  pro- 
mulgated ;  he  loved  the  grace  there  revealed.  *  *  *  Mr. 
Chapin  was  sound,  intelligent  and  edifying.  To  this  audi- 
ence I  need  not  say  that  his  sermons  were  evangelical.  *  *  * 
He  was  permitted  to  rejoice  over  several  revivals  in  his 
own  pastoral  charge  ;  for,  though  the  growth  of  his  church 
was  rather  gradual  and  constant  than  rapid,  there  having 
been  but  very  few  years  since  its  formation  in  which  it  did 
not  receive  increase,  still  there  have  been  some  seasons 
especially  distinguished  by  the  effusions  of  the  Spirit.  Such 
was  the  year  1817,  during  which  fifty-nine  members  were 
added  to  the  church  ;  and  the  year  1829,  in  which  fifty-three 
were  added.  The  year  1831,  so  memorable  to  many  of  our 
churches,  brought  also  an  accession  of  sixteen  to  this.  The 
most  joyful  day  probably  that  ever  shone  on  this  church 
was  Sabbath  day,  March  16,  1817,  of  which  it  is  recorded, 
in  the  pastor's  hand,  '  This  has  been  a  day  long  to  be  re- 
membered by  this  church — a  day  of  rejoicing  and  praise. 


422  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

A  glorious  work  of  grace  began  here  about  twelve  weeks 
since  ;  this  day  we  renewed  our  covenant,  and  received  to 
our  communion  and  cheerful  fellowship  twenty-four  per- 
sons.' "  Mr,  Chapin  was  a  brother  of  Rev.  Horace  B. 
Chapin,  who  was  formerly  a  pastor  in  Westhampton. 

3.  Rev.  Lucius  W.  Chapman  was  born  in  Whately,  Jan. 
7,  1820 ;  pursued  his  studies,  preparatory  to  the  ministry,  at 
Shelburne  Falls  Academy  from  1835  and  onward,  and  in  some 
other  places  ;  never  graduated  at  any  college  ;  was  licensed 
to  preach  as  a  Baptist  minister  in  Westmoreland  County, 
Penn.,  Feb.  5,  1842,  and  was  ordained  as  a  preacher  of  the 
same  denomination  in  Jefferson  County,  Penn.,  Oct.  14, 
1842,  and  preached  as  a  Baptist  minister  in  Shiloh,  Thomp- 
sontown,  and  Sunbury,  and  Northumberland,  Penn.,  until 
1849.  Having  changed  his  views  in  regard  to  baptism,  he 
was  received  to  the  Presbytery  of  Northumberland,  Penn., 
April  18,  1849,  as  a  Presbyterian  minister ;  preached  at  Ly- 
coming Centre  and  Runsdale,  Penn.,  and  was  settled  as 
pastor  of  the  church  in  the  first  named  place,  in  November, 
1849  ;  was  dismissed  from  there  in  December,  1851 ;  and 
since  then  has  been  residing  in  Monroetown,  Penn.,  and 
preaching  there  and  in  some  neighboring  places.  He  now 
belongs  to  the  Presbytery  of  Susquehanna,  Penn.  Rev. 
Alexander  Heberton  preached  his  installation  sermon  at  Ly- 
coming Centre.  Several  revivals  have  attended  Mr.  Chap- 
man's labors. 

4.*  Rev.  Alvan  Sanderson  was  born  in  Whately  ;  and  as 
he  was  a  pastor  in  Ash  field,  a  further  notice  of  him  may  be 
found  in  the  account  of  the  Congregational  pastors  in  that 
town. 

5.  Rev.  Rufus  P.  Wells  was  born  in  Whately,  Feb.  4, 
1818,  and  is  a  grandson  of  Rev.  Rufus  Wells  the  first  pastor 
in  that  town.  Mr.  Wells  spent  some  portion  of  his  early  years 
in  Hatfield  and  in  South  Deerfield.  He  graduated  at  Amherst 
in  1842 ;  studied  theology  with  Rev.  William  M.  Richards 
then  of  South  Deerfield,  at  the  East  Windsor  Hill  Seminary, 


OF     WHATELY.  423 

and  at  the  Union  Theological  Seminary  in  New  York.  He 
was  licensed  by  the  third  Presbytery  of  New  York,  April  18, 
1845 ;  was  ordained  as  an  Evangelist  at  Jonesboroiigh,  East 
Tennessee,  by  the  Holston  Presbytery  ;  and  was  installed 
pastor  of  the  church  in  Jonesboroiigh,  Tenn.,  Aug.  17,  1850, 
and  Rev.  Ira  Morey  preached  the  sermon  on  the  occasion. 
Mr.  Wells  still  remains  the  pastor  in  that  place. 

Of  the  five  Congregational  preachers  who  are  reckoned 
as  sons  of  Whately,  all  were  natives  of  the  town  ;  four  were 
graduates ;  all  have  been  pastors ;  one  left  the  Baptist  min- 
istry and  became  a  Presbyterian  minister ;  and  two  are  now 
living. 

Rev.  Alonzo  Sanderson,  of  Wellington,  Ohio,  was  con- 
nected in  early  life  with  the  Congregational  church  and 
meeting  in  Whately  ;  but  as  his  residence  was  in  South 
Deerfield,  he  is  reckoned  as  a  son  of  Deerfield. 

OTHER    DENOMINATIONS. 

Baptists.  The  Historical  discourse  of  Mr.  Temple  says : 
"  Within  this  period,  [in  1788]  a  colony,  comprising  about 
twenty-five  church  members,  withdrew  from  the  commun- 
ion of  this  (Congregational)  church,  and  professed  Anti-pedo 
Baptist  sentiments.  These  twenty-five,  with  about  forty 
others,  were  embodied  in  a  church  state  by  themselves ; 
which  was  the  commencement  of  the  Baptist  church  in  the 
west  part  of  the  town.  The  Baptist  church  was  constituted, 
May  5,  1789."  The  clerk  of  the  Baptist  church  writes  to 
the  author,  that  the  church  was  organized,  July  8,  1789. 
The  church  was  disbanded  in  1851.  Rev.  Asa  Todd  was 
ordained  pastor  of  the  church,  Sept  9,  1789,  and  remained 
till  1807  ;  Rev.  Stephen  Barker  was  the  pastor  several  years 
from  1807 ;  Rev.  John  R.  Goodnough  was  ordained  in  Au- 
gust, 1823  ;  Rev.  Lorenzo  Rice  was  ordained,  Feb.  8,  1837; 
since  then  Rev.  James  Parker  has  supplied  two  years,  and 
Rev.  George  Bills  two  years.      Rev.  Lucius  W.  Chapman 


424  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

of  Whately  was  licensed  and  ordained  as  a  Baptist  minister 
in  1842;    and  in  1849  became  a  Presbyterian  minister. 

Methodists.  Rev.  William  Bordwell,  a  Methodist  min- 
ister, was  born  in  Whately,  Oct.  13,  1813,  and  died  in  North- 
ampton in  1851,  and  was  buried  in  Whately. 

Summary  of  preachers  who  originated  from  Whately : 
Congregationalists  5 ;  Baptists  1 ;  Methodists  1.     Total  7. 


OF     FRANKLIN     COUNTY.  425 

genera;,   summary. 

CHURCHES  IN  FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 

Number  of  Orthodox  Congregational  Churches  formed,  -        _        .  43 

"          "                   "                    "        now  existing,  -        -  32 

"   Baptist  Churches  formed,     -        -        -        -        -        -  27 

"        "             "         now  existing,     -        -        -        _        _  20 

"   Episcopal  Churches  formed,          -        _        _        .        .  3 

"          "                "        now  existing,          -        .        .        .  3 

"  Methodist  Churches  formed,         .        -        -        .        _  js 

"           "                "         now  existing,         -        ...  17 

"   Unitarian  Churches  formed,  or  by  change,     -        -        -  13 

"          "              "          now  existing,           _        -        _        _  9 

"   Universalist  Societies  formed,       -----  13 

"            "                  "       now  existing,      -        -        -        .  g 

Total  number  formed,       -        -        -  117 

Total  number  now  existing,      -        -  89 

ORTHODOX    CONGREGATIONAL   PASTORS    IN   THE    COUNTT. 

Number  who  have  been  settled  in  the  County,        -        .        .        _  147 

who  are  now  pastors  in  the  County,  -----  21 

who  are  sons  of  Clergymen,     -        -        -        -        -        -  H 

who  have  sons  that  are  Clergymen,  -----  13 

who  are  not  graduates  of  Colleges,  -       •  -        -        -        .  14 

who  have  been  Instructors  in  Colleges,      -        -        -        -  H 

who  have  been  Members  of  Congress,       -        -        .        _  3 

who  have  received  Doctorates,           .        -        _        _        _  g 

who  have  been  Pastors  half  a  century  of  the  same  church,  -  5 

who  changed  their  denomination  after  beginning  to  preach,  5 

who  were  killed  or  captured  by  the  Indians,       .        .        _  3 

who  died  at  seventy  years  of  age,  or  upwards,  -        -        -  24 
who  have  deceased,          -------58 

who  are  now  living,          _---__.  §4 

ORTHODOX  CONGREGATIONAL  PREACHERS  FROM  THE  COUNTY. 

Number  who  were  born  in  the  County,  ----..  i29 

"        who  began  to  live  in  the  County  in  early  life,    -        -        -  23 

Total,     -        -        -        -  "lii 

Number  who  were  sons  of  Clergymen,  ------  15 

"        who  had  sons  that  were  Clergymen,  -        -        -        -        -  H 

"        who  were  not  graduates  of  Colleges,         -        ...  23 

"        who  became  Foreign  Missionaries,    -        ...        -  g 

"        deceased,        - --50 

"        now  living,      -..-...._  jqq 

In  the  foregoing  General  Summary,  while  the  number  of  Orthodox  Con- 
gregational pastors  who  have  been  settled  in  the  County  is  reckoned  to  be 
147,  the  number  of  persons  is  only  142,  since  five  of  the  individuals  having 
been  settled  twice  each — settled  over  different  churches  in  the  County — are 
reckoned  as  ten  pastors. 
54 


426 


CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 


TABLE  No.  I. 

In  this  Table  are  enumerated  the  Cliurches  in  each  Town  in  the  County,  now 
in  operation. 


Towns. 

Orth.  Cons. 

Bap. 

Epis. 

Meth. 

Unit. 

Univ. 

Total. 

Ashfield,     - 

1 

1 

_ 

1 

5 

Bernardston, 

1 

- 

1 

1 

5 

Buckland,  - 

1 

1 

- 

- 

- 

3 

Charlemont, 

1 

- 

- 

- 

4 

Coleraine,  - 

2 

- 

— 

— 

4 

Conway, 

1 

- 

- 

- 

3 

Deerfield,    - 

1 

- 

1 

- 

6 

Erving, 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1 

Gill,  - 

— 

— 

- 

— 

2 

Greenfield, 

1 

1 

1 

- 

6 

Hawley,      - 

- 

- 

- 

- 

2 

Heath,         -        - 

1 

- 

— 

— 

- 

2 

Leverett,     - 

2 

- 

- 

- 

1 

4 

Leyden,      - 

- 

- 

2 

- 

- 

2 

Monroe, 

- 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

Montague,  - 

- 

1 

- 

1 

- 

3 

New  Salem, 

1 

— 

1 

- 

4 

Northfield,  - 

- 

- 

1 

- 

3 

Orange, 

- 

■1 

1 

2 

7 

Howe, 

— 

1 

— 

4 

Shelburne,  - 

- 

- 

1 

5 

Shutesbury, 

- 

- 

1 

4 

Sunderland, 

- 

- 

- 

- 

2 

Warwick,   - 

- 

- 

1 

1 

4 

Wendell,    - 

- 

- 

- 

- 

2 

Whately,    - 

2 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

2 

32 

20 

3 

17 

9 

8 

89 

TABLE  No.  IL 

This  Table  shows  how  many  Preachers  of  each  denomination  originated  from 
each  town  in  the  County. 


Towns. 

Orth.  Cong. 

Bap. 

Epis. 

Meth. 

Unita. 

Univ. 

Total. 

Ashfield,     - 

17 

5 

3 

1 

2 

28 

Bernardston, 

2 

_ 

_ 

- 

- 

2 

Buckland,  - 

5 

1 

1 

1 

- 

- 

8 

Charlemont, 

5 

1 

_ 

5 

_ 

2 

13 

Coleraine,  - 

8 

15 

_ 

6 

- 

1 

30 

Conway,      - 

16 

4 

1 

1 

1 

2 

25 

Deerfield,   -        - 

15 

- 

2 

1 

- 

- 

18 

OF     FRANKLIN     COUNTY. 


427 


TABLE  No.  II— Continued. 


Towns. 

Orth.  Cong. 

Bap. 

Epis. 

Meth. 

Unit. 

Univ. 

Total. 

Erving, 

_ 

1 

_ 

_ 

1 

Gill,   - 

3 

— 

- 

2 

2 

_ 

7 

Greenfield, 

.5 

- 

2 

2 

1 

_ 

10 

Hawley,      - 

16 

- 

- 

3 

_ 

- 

19 

Heath, 

5 

1 

_ 

_ 

_ 

1 

7 

Leverett,     - 

4 

3 

- 

_ 

8 

Leyden,      - 

- 

1 

6 

_ 

2 

10 

Monroe,      - 

- 

- 

- 

1 

3 

4 

Montague,  - 

3 

4 

- 

- 

- 

7 

New  Salem, 

3 

4 

2 

1 

2 

12 

Northfield,  - 

5 

- 

5 

_ 

_ 

11 

Orange, 

- 

- 

4 

_ 

3 

7 

Rowe, 

4 

— 

2 

2 

_ 

8 

Shelburne,  - 

10 

1 

1 

1 

_ 

14 

Shutesbury, 

3 

6 

2 

- 

_ 

11 

Sunderland, 

9 

2 

_ 

1 

_ 

12 

Warwick,   - 

7 

3 

_ 

4 

3 

18 

Wendell,    - 

2 

8 

_ 

10 

Whately,    - 

5 

1 

1 

- 

- 

7 

152 

61 

11 

47 

15 

21 

307 

One  C-h-r-i-s-t-i-a-n  and  one  Perfectionist  preacher,  from  Coleraine,  will 
make  the  total  number  309. 


TABLE  No.  in. 

In  this  Table  are  given  the  dates  of  the  organization  of  the  Orthodox  Congre- 
gational Churches  in  the  County ;  and  the  present  numher  of  members  in 
those  that  have  not  become  Unitarian,  or  are  not  extijict ;  and  the  number  of 
Pastors  each  church  has  had,  and  the  average  length  of  the  ministry  in  each 
church,  while  continuing  Orthodox. 


Towns. 

Ch.  Formed. 

Members. 

Pastors. 

Av.  Leng.  of  Ministry. 

Ashfield, 

1763 

180 

8 

8.i  yrs. 

Bernardston,  1st,     - 

1741 

- 

3 

15i 

2nd,   - 

1824 

63 

4 

4i 

Buckland,       - 

1785 

190 

4 

14^ 

Charlemont,  1st,     - 

1767  (?) 

_ 

1 

18 

2nd,    - 

1788 

87 

5 

9h 

3rd,     - 

1845 

80 

2 

2i 

Coleraine,      .        -        - 

1750  (?) 

42 

6 

12 

Conway,         -        -        - 

1768 

342 

6 

14 

CHURCHES     AND     MINISTER! 

TABLE  No.  m—Co7itinued. 


Towns. 

Ch.  Formed. 

Members. 

Pastors. 

At.  Leng.  of  Ministry. 

Deerfield,  1st, 

1686  (.?) 

3 

36yTs. 

2nd,        - 

1835 

85 

2 

5 

3rd, 

1818 

86 

5 

5i 

4th,         -        - 

1848 

77 

1 

5 

Erving,           ... 

1832 

21 

1 

2 

Gill,       -        -        .        - 

1793  (?) 

46 

6 

8 

Greenfield,  1st,       - 

1754 

50 

5 

18i 

2nd,      - 

1817 

181 

7 

3i 

Hawley,  1st,  -        .        - 

1778 

97 

3 

18 

«        2nd, 

1825 

59 

2 

6 

Heath,  1st,     - 

1785 

117 

6 

9i 

"      2nd,    - 

1844 

_ 

_ 

Leverett, 

1774 

100 

6 

10 

Leyden, 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Monroe,          _        .        - 

— 

_ 

— 

— 

Montague,      -        .        - 

1752  (?) 

134 

5 

18i 

New  Salem,  1st,     - 

1742  (?) 

- 

2 

27i 

2nd,   - 

1824 

_ 

2 

6 

3rd,    - 

1845 

24 

1 

5 

Northfield,  1st,       - 

1718  (?) 

_ 

3 

25 

2nd,      - 

.1825    ' 

61 

5 

3  1-5 

Orange,  1st,  -        -        - 

1782 

- 

1 

8 

"        2nd, 

1837 

— 

1 

2 

«        3rd,  - 

1843 

28 

- 

_ 

"        4th,- 

1846 

50 

1 

1 

Rowe,  1st,      - 

1774  (?) 

- 

2 

20 

"      2d,      -        -        - 

1833 

28 

3 

2  1-3 

Shelburne,  1st, 

1770  (?) 

125 

4 

19 

"          2nd,      -        - 

1850 

77 

1 

2J 

Shutesbury,    -        -        - 

1742 

48 

3 

15 

Sunderland,   -        -        - 

1718  (?) 

230 

11 

9 

Warwick,  1st, 

1760 

- 

2 

25 

2nd,       -        - 

1829 

56 

2 

94 

Wendell,        - 

1774 

66 

6 

13 

Whately,  1st, 

1771 

132 

5 

15 

2nd, 

1842 

87 

1 

10 

3,049 

147 

10  1-6 

In  the  footings  at  the  close  of  this  Table,  the  number,  10  1-6,  signifies 
that  the  average  length  of  the  Orthodox  Congregational  Ministry  in  the 
county  has  been  ten  years  and  one-sixth. 


OF     FRANKLIN     COUNTY. 


429 


TABLE  No.  IV. 

TViis  Table  shows,  where  and  tvhen  the  Orthodox  Congregational  Pastors  of 
the  county  graduated,  if  they  are  graduates ;  ivhen  their  settlements  in  the 
county  took  place ;  and  tohen  they  were  disrnissed,  if  dismissed  at  all ;  and 
their  present  residence  if  living ;  and,  if  deceased,  the  time  of  their  death, 
and  their  age. 


Names. 

CoUege. 

Grad. 

Sett. 

Dis. 

Present  Residence,  or 
Death  and  Age. 

ASHFIELD. 

I 

*J.  Sherwin,   - 

Yale,  - 

1759 

1763 

1774 

1803,    66. 

*N.  Porter,      - 

Cambridge, 

1745 

1774 

_ 

1820,  100. 

*A.  Sanderson, 

Williams,   - 

1802 

1808 

1816:  1817,     37. 

T.  Shepard,    - 

Brown, 

1813 

1819 

1833  Bristol,  R.  I. 

M.  Grovesnor, 

Yale,-        -        - 

1827 

1833 

1835  Jacksonville,  111. 

B.  Baldwin,    - 

1809 

1836 

1838  Montrose,  Penn. 

S.D.Clark,    - 

Amherst,    - 

1835 

1840 

1851  Sunderland. 

W.  H.  Gilbert, 

Yale,-        -        - 

1841 

1851 

Ashfield.  . 

BERNARDSTON. 

*J.  Norton,      - 

Yale,  - 

1737 

1741 

1745  1778,  62. 

*J.  Wright,     - 

"     -        _        . 

1757 

1761 

1782  1823,  85. 

*A.  Cook, 

Brown, 

1776 

1783 

1805  1816,  66. 

*V.  Gould,      - 

Williams,   - 

1797 

1833 

1836!  1841,  68. 

B.  Fowler,       - 

Yale,  - 

1796 

1836 

1838;  Stockbridge, 

F.  Janes, 

- 

. 

1840 

1843:  New  York  City. 

C.  Kendall,     - 

Amherst,    - 

1839 

1844 

Bernardston. 

BUCKLAND. 

*J.  Spaulding, 

Yale,-        -        - 

1778 

1794 

_ 

1823,  72. 

B.  F.  Clarke,  - 

Williams,   - 

1820 

1824 

1839 

Orange. 

P.  Cummings, 

Brown, 

1822 

1840 

1847 

Leicester. 

A.  B.  Smith,  - 

Middlebury, 

1834 

1848 

- 

Buckland. 

CHARLEMONT. 

*J.  Leavitt,     - 

Yale,  - 

1758 

1767 

1785 

1802.  69. 

*J.  Babbitt,     - 

Dartmouth, 

1783 

1796 

1798!  1833;  76. 

J.  Field, 

"          -        - 

1792 

1799 

1823  Charlemont. 

*W.  Tileston, 

Union, 

1822 

1825 

1837 

1851,  59. 

S.T.Allen,    - 

Amherst,    - 

1833 

1838 

1839 

New  York  City. 
Charlemont. 

J.D.Smith,    - 

Yale,  -        -        - 

1832 

1839 

1844 

U      it            li 

"     - 

" 

1848 

1852 

M.H.  Wilder,'        ' 

_ 

_ 

1847 

1848 

Harwich. 

A.  Foster, 

Dartmouth, 

1822 

1850 

Charlemont. 

COLERAINE. 

*A.  McDowell,       - 

Harvard,     - 

1751 

1753 

1761 

1762. 

*D.  McClellan,        - 

Edinburgh, 

_ 

1769 

- 

1773,  36. 

*S.  Taggart,  - 

Dartmouth, 

1774 

1777 

1818 

1825,  71. 

A.  Loomis, 

Williams,   - 

1815 

1829 

1836  Hebron,  N.Y. 

H.  Flagg,        - 

Amherst,    - 

1825 

837 

1848  Coleraine. 

C.  W.  Allen,  - 

Brown, 

1826lj 

1849 

1852 

Hubbardston. 

430 


CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 


TABLE  No.  lY— Continued. 


Names. 

College. 

Grad. 

Sett. 

Dis. 

Present  Residence,  or 
Death  and  Age. 

CONWAT. 

*J.  Emerson,  - 

Harvard,     - 

1764 

1769 

_ 

1826,  81. 

E.  Hitchcock, 

- 

. 

1821 1825 

Amherst. 

*D.  Crosby,     - 

Yale,  - 

1823 

18271833 

1843,  43. 

M.  G.  Wheeler,       - 

Union, 

1825 

18341841 

Auburn  Dale. 

S.  Harris, 

Bowdoin,    - 

1833 

1841 

1851 

Pittsfield. 

G.  M.  Adams, 

1844 

1851 

Conway. 

DEERFIELD. 

*J.  Williams,  - 

Harvard,     - 

1683 

1686 

_ 

1729,  64. 

*J.  Ashley,     - 

Yale,  - 

17301732 

. 

1780,  68. 

*J.  Taylor,      - 

1784  1787 

1806 

1840,  78. 

H.  Seymour,  - 

Amherst,    - 

1838  1843.1849 

Hawley. 

A.  E.  Ives,     - 

Yale,  - 

1837 

1849    - 

Deerfield. 

*B.  Rice, 

Brown, 

1808 

18191827 

1847,  63. 

T.  S.  Clarke,  - 

Yale,  - 

1824 

182711833 

Franklin,  N.Y. 

W.M.Richards,     - 

Williams,  - 

1832 

18351843 

Waukegan,  111. 

A.  Jackson,     - 

- 

1845  1847 

Walpole,  N.  H. 

M.  K.  Cross,  - 

Amherst,     - 

1838 

1850 

- 

Deerfield. 

D.  A.  Strong, 

Williams,   - 

1845 

1849 

- 

u 

ERVING. 

J.  Tucker, 

- 

- 

1842 

1844 

Taunton. 

GILL. 

*J.  Jackson,    - 

Dartmouth, 

1792 

1798 

1801 

1844,  73. 

*J,  Munsell,   - 

"          _         _ 

1794 

1802 

1805 

1832,  60. 

J.  W.  Canning, 

Williams,   - 

1803[1806 

1827 

Gill. 

u     «            a 

«           _         _ 

«     1839 

. 

" 

J.  Sandford,    - 

Brown, 

18121829 

1831 

Oxbow,  N.Y. 

W.  Miller,      - 

Amherst,    - 

184211849 

1850 

Brookfield. 

E.  F.  Brooks,  - 

Washington,  Pa., 

1839 

1851 

- 

Gill. 

GREENFIELD. 

*E.  Billings,   - 

Harvard,     - 

1731 

1754 

. 

1760  {?) 

*R.  Newton,  - 

Yale,  - 

1758 

1761 

_ 

1816,  79. 

*G.  S.  Olds,   - 

Williams,   - 

1801 

1813 

1816 

1848,  71. 

S.  Woodbridge,       - 

"          -         - 

1813 

1817 

1823 

New  Orleans,  La. 

A.  Chandler,  - 

Burlington, 

180711832 

- 

Greenfield. 

*C.  Jenkins,    - 

Williams,   - 

18131820 

1824 

1831,  45. 

W.  C.  Fowler, 

Yale,  - 

1816  1825 

1827 

Amherst. 

C.  S.  Henry,  - 

Dartmouth, 

1825|l829 

1831 

Oakwood  Hill,N.J. 

T.  Bellows,     - 

"          _         _ 

1827 

1833 

1834 

Walpole,  N.  H. 

*S.  Washburn, 

- 

_ 

1837 

1841 

1853,  47. 

L.  L.  Langstroth,    - 

Yale,  - 

1831 

1843 

1848 

Greenfield. 

G.  C.  Partridge,      - 

Amherst,    - 

1833  1848 

- 

(( 

HAWLEY. 

*J.  Grout,       - 

Harvard,     - 

1790 

11793 

- 

1835,  72. 

OF     TRANKLIN     COUNTY. 


431 


TABLE  No.  W— Continued. 


Present  Rcsklence,  or 
Death  and  Age. 


T.  Thatcher, 
H.  Seymour, 
M.  Miller, 
J.  Eastman, 


*J.  Strong, 
M.  Miller,       - 

C.  Butler, 

*S.  M.  Emerson, 
J.  Fisher, 
A.  Graves, 

LEVERETT. 

*H.  Williams, 
J.  Wright,       - 
*J.  Sawyer,     - 
J.  Colburn, 
F.  Reynolds,  - 

D.  Eastman,   - 

LEYDEN. 


MONTAGUE. 

*J.  Nash, 
*A.  Gates, 
M.  B.  Bradford, 
*B.  Holmes,    - 
J.  H.  Merrill,  - 

NEW  SALEM. 

*S.  Kendall,   - 
*J.  Foster,      - 
L.  French, 
E.  Curtis, 
W.  H.  Hay  ward, 

NORTHFIELD. 

*B.  Doolittle,  - 
*J.  Hubbard,  - 
*S.  C.  Allen,  - 
E.  Moody, 
B.  Fowler,  - 
H.  J.  Lombard, 
N.  Richardson, 
L.  Farnham,  - 


Brown, 

Amherst,     - 
Brown, 


Yale, 
Brown, 
Dartmouth, 
Williams,   - 
Bowdoin,    - 


Dartmouth, 
Williams,   - 
Middlebury, 
Yale,  - 
Amherst,    - 


Yale,  - 

Williams, 

Amherst, 


Dartmouth, 


Harvard, 
Dartmouth, 


Union, 


Yale,  - 
Dartmouth, 


Yale,  - 
Williams, 
Amherst, 
Dartmouth, 


1824 

1838 
1800 


1784 
1800 
1834 
1810 

1828 


1809 
1813 
1817 
1787 
1835 


1748 
1804 
1825 


1834 


1731 
1777 


1829 


1834 
1849 
1840 
1847 


1790 
1804 
1838 
1840 
1842 
1851 


1784 
1812 
1822 
1824 
1832 
1840 


1752 

1807 
1828 
1834 
1839 


1742 
1779 
1825 
1834 

1848 


1843 
1846 


1803 
1840 
1840 

1845 


1820 


1832 
1837 


Marysville,  Cal. 
Hawley. . 
Brookfield. 
Hawley. 


1823,  QS. 
Brookfield. 
Somerville,  N.  J. 
1841,  55. 
Succasunna,  N.  J. 
Heath. 


1811,  m. 

S.  Hadley  Falls. 
1822,  30. 
Saxonville. 
Wilmington. 
Leverett. 


1805,  76. 
1827  1850,  70. 


17161718 


1747 
1794 


1750 

1795 

1826 

1831 
18151836 
183618401842 
183718441845 


1796 


1832 

1838 


1776 
1802 
1829 
1842 


1798 
1830 
1836 
1840 


Grafton,  Vt. 

1845,  77. 

Montague. 


1792,  85. 
1812,  57. 
Berkley. 
Greenwich. 
New  Salem. 


1748,  54. 
1794,  68. 
1842,  70. 
Burlington. 
Stockbridge. 
Springfield. 
East  Taunton. 
Boston. 


432  CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

TABLE  No.  lY— Continued. 


Present  Residence,  or 

Names. 

College. 

3rad. 

Sett. 

Dig. 

Death  and  Age. 

ORANGE. 

*E.  Foster,      - 

Dartmouth, 

1773 

1782 

1790 

1814,   67.(?) 

J.  Tucker, 

- 

1842 

1844 

Taunton. 

D.  Peck, 

Yale,  - 

1849 

1852 

- 

Orange. 

ROWE. 

*P.  Smith,       - 

Brown, 

1786 

1787 

1804 

1834,  75. 

"             .        _ 

" 

1812 

1832 

«           a 

J.  Keith, 

«             _        - 

1805 

1808 

1812 

Raynham. 

J.  C.  Thompson,      - 

Amherst,     - 

1829 

1835 

1837 

Holyoke. 

A.  Govan, 

Glasgow,    - 

1817 

1838  1842 

Fentonville,  Mich. 

B.  F.  Clarke,  - 

Williams,   - 

1820 

1849  1850 

Orange. 

SHELBURNE. 

*R.  Hubbard, 

Yale,  - 

1769 

1773 

- 

1788,  45. 

*J.  Townsend, 

1790 

1792 1797 

1838,  72. 

T.Packard,    - 

Dartmouth, 

1796 

1799 

- 

S.  Deerfield. 

T.  Packard,  Jr.,       - 

Amherst,    - 

1823 

1828 

1853 

Shelburne. 

G.  F.  Bronson, 

- 

- 

1851 

" 

Waterbury,  Conn. 

SHDTESBURT. 

*A.  Hill, 

Harvard,     - 

1737 

1742  1778 

1788,  70. 

J.  Taylor, 

E.  Newton,     - 

Brown, 

1809 

18161822 

Northbridge. 

Dartmouth, 

1843 

1848 

1850 

Dighton. 

SUNDERLAND. 

*J.Willard,     - 

Yale,-        -        - 

1714 

1718 

1721 

1723,  31. 

*W.  Rand,     - 

Harvard,     - 

1721 

1724 

1745 

1779,  79. 

*J.  Ashley,     - 

*A.  Lyon, 

*D.  H.  Williston,    - 

Yale,  - 

1730 

1747 

1784 

1797,  88. 

Dartmouth, 

1791 

1792 

1793 

1840,  77. 

Yale,  - 

1787 

1804 

1806 

1845,  77. 

*J.  Taylor,      - 

Williams,  - 

1804 

1807 

- 

1831,  48. 

H.  B.  Holmes, 

. 

- 

1833 

1835 

Andover. 

*S.  B.  Ingram, 

Amherst,    - 

1831 

1836 

- 

1840,  33. 

*A.  Gary,        - 
H.  B.  Hosford, 

«           _        _ 

1837 

1840 

_ 

1849,  40. 

Williams,  - 

1843 

1850 

1853 

Hudson,  Ohio. 

S.  D.Clark,    - 

Amherst,    - 

1835 

1853 

- 

Sunderland. 

WARWICK. 

*L.  Hedge,     - 

Harvard,     - 

1759 

1760 

- 

1777,  44. 

*S.  Reed, 

Yale,  - 

1777 

1779 

- 

1812,  57. 

S.  Kingsbury, 

R.  C.  Hatch,  -        - 

Brown, 

18221833 

1835 

Tamworth,  N.  H. 

Yale,-        -        - 

18151835 

1853 

Warwick. 

WENDELL. 

*J.  Kilburn,    - 

Harvard,     - 

1777 

1783 

- 

1816,  61. 

*H.  Wilbur,    - 

. 

1817 

1822 

1852,  65. 

J.  Duncklee,  - 

Dartmouth, 

1817 

1823 

1830 

Greenfield,  N.  H. 

OF     FRANKLIN     COUNTY. 
TABLE  No.  lY— Continued. 


433 


College. 


Grad. 


Sett. 


Dis. 


Present  Residence,  or 
Death  and  Age. 


W.  Claggett,  - 

S.  Bennett, 

N.  S.  Dickinson, 


*R.  Wells,  - 
L.  P.  Bates,  - 
J.  Ferguson,  - 
J.  H.  Temple, 
C.  N.  Seymour, 
J.  S.  Judd,      - 


Dartmouth, 
Middlebury, 
Amherst,    - 


Harvard, 

Williams, 


1826 
1815 
1841 


1764 

1818 


Trinity, 
Williams,   - 


1830 
1838 
1847 


1771 
1822 
1836 
1845 
1853 


1837 
1844 
1852 


1832 
1840 
1852 


1841 
18391843 


W.  Hartford,  Vt. 
Sherman  Centre, 
Chatham.   [N.Y. 


1834,  92. 
Detroit,  Mich. 
Whately. 
Framingham. 
Whately. 


TABLE  No.  V. 
This  Table  shows  from  what  Towns  in  Franklin  County  Orthodox  Congrega- 
tional Preachers  originated ;  the  date  of  their  birth ;  the  College  at  which 
they  graduated  and  the  year  of  their  graduation,  if  they  are  graduates  ;  and 
their  present  residence,  if  living  ;  and  if  deceased,  the  year  of  their  death  and 
their  age. 


Names. 

Birth. 

CoUege. 

Grad. 

Present  Residence,  or  Death 
and  Age. 

ASHFIELD. 

R.  B.  Bement, 

1808 

. 

_ 

Bedford,  0. 

W.  Bement,    - 

1806 

Dartmouth,  - 

1828 

Elmira,  N.  Y. 

J.  Cross, 

1797 

. 

_ 

Wheaton,  111. 

A.  Dyer, 

1798 

_ 

- 

West  Hawley. 

A.  LiUey,        - 

1797 

Williams,    - 

1824 

Pewaukie,  Wis. 

*E.  Paine,       - 

1797 

Amherst,      - 

1823 

1836,  39. 

J.  C.  Paine,     - 

1806 

_         .         - 

_ 

Gardner. 

W.  P.  Paine,  - 

1802 

Amherst, 

1827 

Holden. 

M.  Parker,      - 

1815 

" 

1838 

Weyauwega,  Wis. 

S.  Parker, 

1779 

Williams,     - 

1806 

Ithaca,  N.Y. 

C.  S.  Porter,   - 

1803 

Amherst, 

1827 

Boston. 

*F.  Sears, 

1779 

Williams,     - 

1804 

1811,  33. 

*0.  M.  Sears, 

1818 

" 

1842 

1853,  35. 

*P.  Smith,       - 

1759 

Brown, 

1786 

1834,  75. 

P.  Taylor, 

1793 

_         _         _ 

- 

Sheldon,  Vt. 

M.  E.  White,  - 

1803 

Dartmouth,  - 

1828 

Northampton. 

F.Williams,   - 

1814 

Williams,     - 

1838 

Bloomfield,  Ct. 

BERNARDSTOIT. 

*S.  C.  Allen,  - 

1772(?) 

Dartmouth,  - 

1794 

1842,  70. 

*E.  WoUage, 

1769(?) 

" 

1791 

1847,  78. 

55 


434 


CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 

TABLE  No.  Y— Continued. 


Names. 

Birth. 

CoUege 

Grad. 

Present  Residence,  or  Death 
and  Age. 

BUCKXAND. 

*J.  Edson,       - 

1773 

Dartmouth,  - 

1794 

1805,     32. 

W.  A.  Nichols,       - 

1800 

Amherst, 

1834 

Chicago,  III. 

L.  R.  Phillips, 
D.  Rood. 

1806 

Williams,     - 

1836 

Sharon. 

1818 

u 

1844 

Umbazi,  Africa. 

L.  Taylor,       - 

1813 

Middlebury, 

1839 

Francestown,  N.  H. 

CHARLEMONT. 

J.  Ballard,       - 

1805 

Williams,      - 

1827 

Grand  Rapids,  Mich. 

R.  Hawks,      - 

1788 

" 

1811 

South  Hadley. 

T.  M.  Hawks, 

1821 

<i 

1844 

New  York  City. 
Moscow,  N.  Y. 

L.  Leonard,     - 

1812 

- 

- 

D.  Rice, 

1816 

Amherst,     - 

1837 

Troy,  0. 

COLERAINE. 

O,  Johnson,     - 

1801 

Williams,     - 

1829 

Beaver  Dam,  Wis. 

A.  G.  Loomis, 

1820 

" 

1844 

Bethlehem,  Conn. 

E.  Loomis, 

1823 

" 

1847 

Bedford. 

L.  Lyons, 

1807 

Union, 

1827 

Waimea,  Sand'ch  Isl. 

*Luke  Lyons, 

1791 

- 

_ 

1845,  53. 

J.  McGee,       - 

1789 

Williams,     - 

1814 

Greenfield,  N.  H. 

*W.  Riddel,    - 

1768 

Dartmouth,  - 

1793 

1849,  82. 

*H.Wallis,     - 

1767 

" 

1791 

1848,  81. 

CONWAT. 

*J.  Baker, 

1763 

. 

_ 

1833,  65. 

*E.  Billings,    - 

1749 

Yale,  - 

1772 

1825,  76. 

R.  S.  Billings, 

1819 

Amherst, 

1847 

Andover. 

*A.  B.  Clary,  - 

1801 

- 

- 

1833,  38. 

D.  Clary, 

1798 

- 

- 

Beloit,  Wis. 

*S.  Clary, 

1782 

- 

- 

1831,  49. 

D.  Dickinson, 

1770 

- 

- 

New  Bremen,  N.  Y. 

H.  G.  0.  Dwight,    - 

1803 

Hamilton,    - 

1825 

Constantinople,  Ty. 

*S.  M.  Emerson,     - 

1785 

Williams,     - 

1810 

1841,  55. 

S.  Fisher, 

1777 

" 

1799 

Orange,  N.  J. 

*W.  Fisher,    - 

1775 

" 

1805 

1840,  65. 

J.  A.  Nash,     - 

1798 

Amherst, 

1824 

Amherst. 

E.W.  Root,    - 

1820 

Yale,  - 

1844 

Williamsburg. 

J.  K.  Ware,     - 

1793 

Amherst, 

1824 

Canandaigua,  N.  Y. 

S.  Ware, 

1781 

Williams,     - 

1808 

S.  Deerfield. 

W.  Ware,       - 

1784 

- 

- 

Clear  Creek,  N.  Y. 

DEERFIELD. 

H.  P.  Arms,    - 

1799 

Yale,  - 

1824 

Norwich,  Ct. 

S.  R.  Arms,    - 

1789 

Williams,    - 

1818 

Springfield,  Vt 

*J.  Bordwell,  - 

17.32 

Yale,  - 

1756 

1811,  79. 

*Z.  Clapp,      - 

1796    Dartmouth,  - 1 

1821 

1837,  41. 

O.  Cooley,      - 

1801 

Union,         - 1 

1827 

Chesterfield,  111. 

OF     FRANKLIN     COUNTY. 


435 


TABLE  No.  Y— Continued. 


Names. 

Birth. 

College. 

Grad. 

Present  Eesidence,  or  Deatk 
and  Age. 

J.  Hawks,  Jr., 

1823 

Amherst, 

1847 

Newport,  Ind. 

*E.  Hindsdale, 

1706 

Harvard, 

1727 

1763,  67. 

E.  Hitchcock, 

1793 

-          -         - 

. 

Amherst. 

A.  Johnson,     - 

1802 

Union, 

1827 

Peru,  Ind. 

*A.  Sanderson, 

1808 

Amherst, 

1834 

Wellington,  0. 

*R.  Wells,      - 

1743 

Harvard,      - 

1764 

1834,  92. 

*E.  Williams, 

1688 

1708 

1742,  55. 

*S.  Williams,  - 

1693 

" 

1713 

1782,  90. 

*W.  Williams, 

1699 

u 

1719 

1751,  62. 

*E.  Wright,     - 

1815 

Yale,  -        - 

1840 

1852,  37. 

ERVING. 

GILL. 

W.M.Richards,     - 

1805 

Williams,     - 

1832 

Waukegan,  111. 

S.  H.  Riddel, 

1800 

Yale,  - 

1823 

Boston. 

J.Wellman,    - 

1793 

- 

- 

Lowell,  Vt. 

GREENFIELD. 

*E.  Billings,  Jr.,      - 

1750 

Harvard, 

1775 

1806,  56. 

C.  C.  Corse,    - 

1803 

Amherst, 

1830 

East  Smithfield,  Penn. 

J.  F.  Gripwold, 
C.  P.  Russell, 

1795 

1801 

Yale,  - 

1821 

Washington,  N.  H. 
D.  C. 

S.  M.Woodbridge, - 

1819 

NewYorkUn. 

1839 

New  Brunswick,  N.  J. 

HAWLEY. 

O.W.  Cooley, 

1816 

Williams,     - 

1841 

Granville,  111. 

*M.  L.  Farnsworth, 

1799 

Union, 

1825 

1838,  40. 

P.  Field,         -        - 

1794 

Amherst,      - 

1822 

North  Pitcher,  N.Y. 

T.  A.  Hall,     - 

1813 

Williams,     - 

1838 

Lee. 

U.  Hitchcock, 

1782 

« 

1806 

Ware. 

J.  King, 

1792 

« 

1816 

Athens,  Greece. 

F.  Lilley,  Jr.,  -        - 

1812 

« 

1838 

Hume,  N.  Y. 

*A.  Longley,  - 

1809 

- 

1851,  41. 

M.  M.  Longley, 

1815 

Oberlin, 

1842 

Chatham  Centre,  0. 

L  Oakes, 

1795 

Williams,     - 

1823 

Oakland,  N.  Y. 

A.C.Page,    - 

1806 

Amherst, 

1829 

Holland. 

J.  Taylor, 

1817 

" 

1843 

Wenham. 

*0.  A.  Taylor, 

1801 

Union, 

1825 

1851,  50. 

R.  Taylor,       - 

1811 

Amherst,      - 

1837 

Manchester. 

T.  A.  Taylor, 

1809 

« 

1835 

Slatersville,  R.  L 

*T.  H.  Wood, 

1772 

Williams,     - 

1799 

1842,  71. 

HEATH. 

S.T.Allen,    - 

1809 

Amherst,      - 

1833 

New  York  City. 

J.  Leavitt, 

1794 

Yale,  - 

1814 

u                   «"' 

L.  Smith, 

1802 

Williams,     - 

1829 

Honolulu,  Sand.  Isl. 

436 


CHURCHES     AND     MINISTERS 


TABLE  No.  Y— Continued, 


Names. 

Birth. 

College. 

Grad. 

Present  Residence,  or  Death 
and  Age. 

D.  H.  Thayer, 
J.  C.  Thompson, 

1825 

1804 

Union, 
Amherst,      - 

1849 
1829 

Nunda,  N.Y. 
Holyoke. 

LEVERETT. 

L.  A.  Field,    - 
*L.  Field,        - 
W.  S.  Smith, 

*A.  Williams, 

1821 
1780 
1821 
1782 

Amherst, 
Williams,     - 
Amherst, 
Dartmouth,  - 

1846 
1799 

1848 
1804 

Marlboro'. 
1820.  40. 
New  York  City. 
1816,  34. 

LETDEN. 

MONROE. 

MONTAGUE. 

L-  R.  Eastman, 
*W.  Gunn,      - 
J.  Marsh, 

1809 
1815 
1796 

Amherst,      - 

Union, 

Amlierst, 

1833 
1840 
1824 

Berkley. 
1851,  36. 
Lodi,  Mich. 

NEW  SALEM. 

J.  L.  Armes,  - 
C.  Clark, 
J.  Taylor, 

1811 
1790 
1781 

Amherst, 

Middlebury, 

Brown, 

1836 
1814 
1809 

Mason,  N.  H. 
Truxton,  N.  Y. 
Northbridge. 

NORTHFIELD. 

*C.  Alexander, 
*J.  R.  Field,  - 
*L.  Field,        - 
T.  P.  Field,    - 
F.  Janes, 

1755 
1795 

1796 
1814 

1808 

Yale,  -        - 
Dartmouth,  - 
Williams,     - 
Amherst, 

1777 
1822 
1821 
1834 

1828,  72. 
1828,  33. 
1839,  42. 
Amherst. 
New  York  City. 

ORANGE. 

ROWE, 

*J.  W.  Clary, 
N.  Cressey,     - 
P.  Smith,  Jr.,  - 
S.  W.  Streeter, 

1786 
1777 
1789 
1810 

Middlebury, 
Williams,     - 
Brown, 

1808 
1805 
1812 

1835,  48. 
Portland,  Me. 
Deerfield. 
Henrietta,  N.  Y. 

SHELBURNE. 

A.  Chandler,  - 
R.  Childs,       - 
D.  T.  Fisk,     - 
*E.  Fisk, 
*P.  Fisk, 
S.  Fisk, 

*R.  Hubbard,  Jr.,    - 
G.  Lyman, 

1782 
1819 
1819 
1785 
1792 
1828 
1782 
1802 

Burlington,  - 

Amherst, 
Williams,     - 
Middlebury, 
Amherst, 
Williams,     - 
Amherst,      - 

1807 

1842 

1809 
1814 
1848 
1803 
1827 

Greenfield. 
Gilmanton,  N.  H. 
Newbury  port, 
1833,  49. 
1825,  33. 
Amherst  College. 
1840,  57. 
Marlboro',  N.  H. 

OF     FRANKLIN     COUNTY. 
TABLE  No.  Y— Continued. 


437 


Names. 

Birth. 

College. 

Grad. 

Present  Residence,  or  Death 
and  Age. 

T.  Packard,  Jr.,      - 

1802 

Amherst,      - 

1823 

Shelburne. 

*L.  Pratt, 

1799 

" 

1826 

1837,  38. 

SHUTESBURY. 

D.  Ball,  - 

1796 

Union, 

1828 

Canton,  China. 

*0.  Hill, 

1781 

.          -          . 

. 

1844,  63. 

S.  W.  Leonard,        - 

1802 

Williams,     - 

1827 

West  Monroe,  N.  Y. 

SUNDERLAND. 

*E.  Billings,    - 

_ 

Harvard, 

1731 

1760.  (?) 

E.  F.  Cooley,  - 

1781 

Nassau  Hall, 

1806 

Trenton,  N.  J. 

J.  Field, 

1772 

Dartmouth,  - 

1792 

Charlemont. 

A.  Graves, 

1815 

. 

. 

Heath. 

*H.  N.  Graves,        - 

1806 

Yale,  - 

1826 

1852,  46. 

A.  0.  Hubbard,       - 

1800 

1824 

Barnet,  Vt. 

*J.  Hubbard,  - 

1702 

"      _ 

1724 

1765,  62. 

*0.  G.  Hubbard,     - 

1805 

Amherst, 

1829 

1852,  47. 

R.  B.  Hubbard,       - 

1803 

Union, 

1829 

Sunderland. 

WARWICK. 

J.  Fisk,  - 

1770 

Dartmouth,  - 

1791 

New  Braintree. 

*M.  Fisk, 

1759 

" 

1786 

1842,  83. 

N.  Gould,        - 

1798 

Amherst, 

1825 

Northville,  111. 

J.  L.  Hatch,    - 

1825 

" 

1849 

Gloucester. 

F.  Leonard,     - 

1817 

Knox,  - 

1846 

Lyonsville,  111. 

S.  L.  Pomroy, 

1799 

Brown, 

1820 

Boston. 

L.Wheaton,    - 

1817 

Amherst, 

1845 

West  Gloucester. 

WENDELL. 

W.  H.  Beaman, 

1813 

Amherst, 

1837 

North  Hadley. 

*J.  Sawyer,     - 

1792 

Williams,     - 

1813 

1822,  30. 

WHATELY. 

*P.  Belden,     - 

1811 

Amherst, 

1833 

1849,  38. 

*P.  Chapin,     - 

1783 

Middlebury, 

1808 

1839,  56. 

L.  W.  Chapman,     - 

1820 

- 

- 

Monroetown,  Penn. 

*A.  Sanderson, 

1808 

Williams,     - 

1802 

1817,  37. 

R.P.Wells,   - 

1818 

Amherst, 

1842 

Jonesborough,  Tenn. 

HISTOEY   OF   FRANKLIN  ASSOCIATION, 


FRANKLIN    COUNTY,    MASS. 


The  Orthodox  Congregational  Ministers  in  the  several  towns  which  now 
constitute  Franklin  County,  formerly  belonged  to  the  Hampshire  Ministerial 
Association.  August  2,  1803,  the  Northern  Association  of  Hampshire 
County  set  off.  at  their  request,  eight  members  of  their  body,  to  be  called 
the  North  Western  Association  of  Hampshire  County.  The  following  is  a 
list  of  those  eight  members,  viz.,  John  Emerson  of  Conway,  Joseph  Field  of 
Charlemont,  Jonathan  Grout  of  Hawley,  Theophilus  Packard  of  Shelburne, 
Nehemiah  Porter  of  Ashfield,  Preserved  Smith  of  Rowe,  Josiah  Spaulding 
of  Buckland,  and  John  Taylor  of  Deerfield.  The  first  meeting  of  this  new 
body  was  held  in  Rowe,  Sept.  20,  1803,  and  the  following  members  were 
present,  viz.,  Messrs.  Field,  Grout,  Packard,  Smith  and  Spaulding ;  also 
Rev.  Jesse  Edson  of  Halifax,  Vt.,  became  a  member  at  this  meeting.  The 
Constitution  of  the  Association  was  adopted  at  Shelburne,  April  10,  1805. 
In  1813,  after  the  county  of  Franklin  was  organized,  the  title  of  "  Franklin 
Association  "  was  adopted. 

Two  members  of  the  Association,  viz..  Revs.  Joseph  Field  and  Preserved 
Smith,  became  Unitarians,  and  their  connection  with  the  Association  was 
discontinued. 

Two  licentiates  of  the  Association  also  became  Unitarians,  viz..  Rev. 
Samuel  Clarke,  who  died  at  Burlington,  Vt.,  in  1827,  and  Rev.  Preserved 
Smith  now  of  Deerfield. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  eight  ministers  whom  the  Association  has 
ordained  as  Evangelists : — 

Rev.  Stalham   Clary,    ordained  at  Shelburne  in  1823. 

"     John  F.  Griswold,        "  "  1825. 

«      Hiram  Smith,  «  "  1830. 

"      Alvah  C.  Page,  "  Charlemont,      1831. 

"  '  Anson  Dyer,  "  HawleyWest,  1831. 

«     Lowel  Smith,  "  Heath,  1832. 

"     John  Eastman,  "  Charlemont,     1834. 

«     Pomroy  Belden,  "  Warwick,        1837. 


HISTORY     OF     FRANKLIN     ASSOCIATION.  439 

In  1834,  the  Association,  after  a  long  examination  of  certain  charges 
preferred  against  Rev,  Anson  Dyer,  for  unministerial  conduct,  withdrew 
their  fellowship  from  him  as  a  minister  of  the  gospel. 

Some  of  the  principal  regulations  by  which  this  body  is  governed  are 
subjoined.  Their  meetings  are  held  on  the  first  Tuesdays  of  February, 
May,  August  and  November,  at  2  o'clock,  P.  M.,  and  are  continued  till 
noon  the  following  day.  A  public  meeting  is  held  and  a  discourse  preached 
by  one  of  the  body.  Their  exercises  among  themselves  consist  of  prayers, 
written  performances,  and  discussions  of  subjects.  The  Assembly's  Shorter 
Catechism  has  been  adopted  as  a  brief  summary  of  their  theological  views 
and  the  basis  of  their  union. 

Ninety-three  members  have  belonged  to  this  Association.  In  the  follow- 
ing catalogue,  brief  sketches  are  given  of  those  who  have  not  already  been 
noticed  in  this  work,  as  pastors  of  churches,  or  as  originating  from  the 
county : — 

MEMBERS    OF    FRANKLIN   ASSOCIATION. 

I.*  Rev.  John  Emerson  joined  in  1803,  and  died  in  1823.  See  the  ac- 
count of  Conway  pastors. 

2.  Rev.  Joseph  Field  joined  in  1803,  and  his  membership  was  discontinued 
in  1823  by  a  vote  of  the  Association.  See  the  account  of  Charlemont  pas- 
tors. 

3.*  Rev.  Jesse  Edson  joined  in  1803,  and  died  in  1805.  See  the  account 
of  ministers  originating  from  Buckland. 

4.*  Rev.  Jonathan  Grout  joined  in  1803,  and  died  in  1835.  See  the  ac- 
count of  Hawley  pastors. 

5.  Rev.  Theophilus  Packard,  D.  D.,  joined  in  1803,  and  is  still  a  member. 
See  the  account  of  Shelburne  pastors. 

6.*  Rev.  Presei-ved  Smith  joined  in  1803,  and  withdrew  in  1821.  See  the 
account  of  Rowe  pastors. 

7.*  Rev.  Josiah  Spaulding  joined  in  1803,  and  died  in  1823.  See  the 
account  of  Buckland  pastors. 

8.*  Rev.  John  Taylor  joined  in  1803,  and  was  dismissed  in  1806.  See 
the  account  of  Deerfield  pastors. 

9.*  Rev.  Roger  JVewton,  D.  D.,  joined  in  1804,  and  died  in  1816.  See 
the  account  of  Greenfield  pastors. 

10.*  Rev.  JVehemiah  Porter  joined  in  1804,  and  died  in  1820.  See  the 
account  of  Ashfield  pastors. 

11.*  Rev.  Samuel  Taggart  joined  in  1804,  and  died  in  1825.  See  the 
account  of  Coleraine  pastors. 

12.*  Rev.  Amasa  Cooke  joined  in  1805,  and  died  in  1816.  See  the  ac- 
count of  Bernardston  pastors. 

13.  Rev.  Moses  Miller  joined  in  1805,  and  was  dismissed  in  1846.  See 
the  account  of  Heath  pastors. 


440  HISTORY     OF     FRANKLIN     ASSOCIATION. 

14.  Rev.  Josiah  W.  Canmrig- joined  in  180G,  and  was  dismissed  in  1827. 
See  the  account  of  Gill  pastors. 

15.*  Rev.  Thomas  H.  Wood  joined  in  1807,  and  died  in  1842.  See  the 
account  of  ministers  originating  from  Hawley. 

IG.*  Rev.  Alvan  Sanderson  joined  in  1808,  and  died  in  1817.  See  the 
account  of  Ashfield  pastors. 

17.  Rev.  Tliomas  SJtepard  joined  in  1819,  and  was  dismissed  in  1833. 
See  the  account  of  Ashfield  pastors. 

18.  Rev.  Sylvester  JVoodbridge  ioinei  in  1821,  and  was  dismissed  in  1823. 
See  the  account  of  Greenfield  pastors. 

19.*  Rev.  Charles  Jenkins  joined  in  1822,  and  was  dismissed  in  1824. 
See  the  account  of  Greenfield  pastors. 

20.  -Rev.  Edward  Hitchcock,  D.  D.,  LL.D.,  joined  in  1822,  and  was  dis- 
missed in  1825.     See  the  account  of  Conway  pastors. 

21.  Rev.  Benjamin  F.  Clarke  joined  in  1824,  was  dismissed  in  1840,  re- 
joined in  1843,  and  is  still  a  member.  See  the  account  of  Buckland 
pastors. 

22.*  Rev.  Wales  Tileston  joined  in  1825,  and  was  dismissed  in  1837.  See 
the  account  of  Charlemont  pastors. 

23.  Rev.  William  C.  Fowler  joined  in  1826,  and  was  dismissed  in  1828. 
See  the  account  of  Greenfield  pastors. 

24.  Rev.  Eli  Moody  joined  in  1827,  and  was  dismissed  in  1831,  re- 
joined in  1847,  and  was  dismissed  in  1853.  See  the  account  of  Northfield 
pastors. 

25.*  Rev.  Daniel  Crosby  joined  in  1827,  and  was  dismissed  in  1833.  See 
the  account  of  Conway  pastors. 

26.  Rev.  Theophilus  Packard,  Jr.,  joined  in  1828,  and  is  still  a  member. 
See  the  account  of  Shelburne  pastors. 

27.  Rev.  Moses  B.  Bradford  joined  in  1829,  and  was  dismissed  in  1833. 
See  the  account  of  Montague  pastors. 

28.  Rev.  Caleb  S.  Henry,  D.  D.,  joined  in  1829,  and  was  dismissed  in 
1832.     See  the  account  of  Greenfield  pastors. 

29.  -Rev.  Aretas  Loomis  joined  in  1829,  and  was  dismissed  in  1836.  See 
the  account  of  Coleraine  pastors. 

30.  Rev.  James  Sandford  pined  in  1830,  and  was  dismissed  in  1832.  See 
the  account  of  Gill  pastors. 

31.  -Rev.  William  Claggett  joined  in  1831,  and  Avas  dismissed  in  1837. 
See  the  account  of  Wendell  pastors. 

32.  Rev.  Bancroft  Fowler  joined  in  1832,  and  was  dismissed  in  1839. 
See  the  account  of  Northfield  pastors. 

33.  Rev.  Anson  Dyer  joined  in  1832,  and  was  excluded  in  1834.  See  the 
account  of  ministers  from  Ashfield. 

34.  Rev.  Amariah  Chandler,  D.  D.,  joined  in  1833,  and  is  still  a  member- 
See  the  account  of  Greenfield  pastors. 


HISTORY     OF     FRANKLIN     ASSOCIATION.  441 

35.  Rev.  Mason  Grovesnor  joined  in  1833,  and  was  dismissed  in  1835. 
See  the  account  of  Ashfield  pastors. 

36.  Rev.  Elrphalet  Strong,  Jr.,  joined  in  1833,  and  was  dismissed  in  1835. 
Mr.  Strong  was  born  in  Stafford,  Ct.,  March  4,  1799;  graduated  at  Amherst 
in  1828  ;  studied  theology  with  Rev.  Nathan  Perkins  of  East  Amherst ;  was 
licensed  in  June,  1830 ;  preached  at  Warwick  and  New  Salem ;  was  a 
settled  pastor  about  three  years  at  Hinsdale,  N.  H. ;  then  preached  in  Tol- 
land and  Southwick;  then,  on  account  of  the  failure  of  health,  relinquished 
preaching ;  in  1836  removed  to  Milton,  111.,  and  engaged  in  agriculture, 
where  he  still  remains.  Mr.  Strong,  in  a  letter  to  the  author  in  1853,  pro- 
fesses to  have  become  a  Swedenborgian. 

37.  Rev.  Thomas  Belloivs  joined  in  1834,  and  was  dismissed  in  1834. 
See  the  account  of  Greenfield  pastors. 

38.  Rev.  Henry  B.  Holmes  joined  in  1834,  and  was  dismissed  in  1836. 
See  the  account  of  Sunderland  pastors. 

39.  Rev.  Tyler  Thacher  joined  in  1834,  and  was  dismissed  in  1844.  See 
the  account  of  Hawley  pastors. 

40.  Rev.  Melandhon  G.  Wheeler  joined  in  1834,  and  was  dismissed  in 
1842.     See  the  account  of  Conway  pastors. 

41.*  Rev.  Benjamin  Holmes  joined  in  1835,  and  was  dismissed  in  1839. 
See  the  account  of  Montague  pastors. 

42.  Rev.  John  C.  Tlwmpson  joined  in  1835,  and  was  dismissed  in  1837. 
See  the  account  of  Rowe  pastors. 

43.  Rev.  Erastus  Curtis  joined  in  1836,  and  was  dismissed  in  1843.  See 
the  account  of  New  Salem  pastors. 

44.  Rev.  Burr  Baldmn  joined  in  1836,  and  was  dismissed  in  1838.  See 
the  account  of  Ashfield  pastors. 

45.  Rev.  William  M.  Richards  joined  in  1836,  and  was  dismissed  in  1843. 
See  the  account  of  Deerfield  pastors. 

46.  Rev.  Roger  C.  Hatch  joined  in  1836,  and  is  still  a  member.  See  the 
account  of  Warwick  pastors. 

47.*  Rev.  Solomon  B.  Ingram  io'med  in  1837,  and  died  in  1840.  See  the 
account  of  Sunderland  pastors. 

48.  Rev.  Horatio  Flagg  joined  in  1837,  and  ceased  to  be  a  member  in 
1851.     See  the  account  of  Coleraine  pastors. 

49.*  Rev.  Pomroy  Belden  joined  in  1837,  and  was  dismissed  in  1843. 
See  the  account  of  ministers  from  Whately. 

50.  Rev.  Horatio  J.  Lombard  joined  in  1837,  and  was  dismissed  in  1841. 
See  the  account  of  NorthfielJ  pastors. 

51.*  Rev.  Samuel  Washhurn  joined  in  1837,  and  was  dismissed  in  1841. 
See  the  account  of  Greenfield  pastors. 

52.  Rev.  Stephen  T.  Allen  joined  in  1838,  and  was  dismissed  in  1839. 
See  the  account  of  Charlemont 

56 


442  HISTORY     OF     FRANKLIN     ASSOCIATION. 

53.  Rtv.  Ancb-ew  Gova/i  joined  in  1839,  and  was  dismissed  in  1842.  See 
the  account  of  Rowe  pastors. 

54.  Rtv.  Calvin  Butler  joined  in  1839,  and  was  dismissed  in  1841.  See 
the  account  of  Heath  pastors. 

55.  Rev.  Martyn  Cushman  joined  in  1839,  and  was  dismissed  in  1840. 
Mr.  Cushman  was  born  in  Kingston,  Oct.  8,  1800 ;  never  graduated  at  any 
college  ;  studied  theology  with  Rev.  AlvanCobb  of  Taunton;  was  licensed 
by  Taunton  Association  ;  preached  in  Dennis  and  Hanover  and  West  Haw- 
ley  ;  ordained  as  pastor  in  Acton,  Me.,  April  9,  1833,  and  was  dismissed 
from  there  in  October,  183G  ;  preached  in  Shutesbury  about  seven  years 
from  1836 ;  then,  on  account  of  the  failure  of  his  voice,  relinquished  public 
speaking,  and  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  for  ten  years  in  Amherst, 
and  now  resides  in  Taunton. 

56.  Rev.  Salmon  Bennett  joined  in  1839,  and  ceased  to  be  a  member  in 
1849.     See  the  account  of  Wendell  pastors. 

57.  Rev.  Preston  Cummings  joined  in  1840,  and  ceased  to  be  a  member 
in  1851.     See  the  account  of  Buckland  pastors. 

58.  -Ret?.  Frederick  Janes  joined  in  1840,  and  was  dismissed  in  1843.  See 
the  account  of  Bernardston  pastors. 

59.  Rev.  Warren  Mien  joined  in  1840,  and  was  dismissed  in  1841.  Mr. 
Allen  was  born  at  Fort  Ann,  N.  Y.,  March  21,  1799 ;  never  graduated  at 
any  college ;  studied  theology  with  Rev.  Ichabod  Hart ;  was  licensed  in 
1834  ;  was  ordained  as  an  Evangelist  in  New  York  State,  July  8,  1835; 
preached  in  various  places  in  New  York,  and  in  Erving  and  Irvingsville  a 
short  time  in  1840-1  ;  never  was  settled  as  a  pastor;  became  a  Methodist 
in  1845;  has  preached  more  or  less  in  the  Methodist  connexion;  and  now 
resides  in  Oswego,  N.  Y. 

60.  Rev.  Sereno  D.  C/arA:  joined  in  1841,  was  dismissed  in  1851;  re- 
joined in  1853,  and  is  now  a  member.     See  the  account  of  Ashfield  pastors. 

61.  Rev.  John  D.  Smith  joined  in  1841,  was  dismissed  in  1844  ;  rejoined 
in  1848,  and  is  now  a  member.     See  the  account  of  Charlemont  pastors. 

62.*  Rev.  Austin  Cary  joined  in  1842,  and  died  in  1849.  See  the  account 
of  Sunderland  pastors. 

63.  Rev.  Samuel  Harris  joined  in  1842,  and  was  dismissed  in  1851.  See 
the  account  of  Conway  pastors. 

64.  Rev.  Josiah  Fisher  joined  in  1842,  and  was  dismissed  in  1845.  See 
the  account  of  Heath  pastors. 

65.  Rev.  Henry  Seymour  joined  in  1843,  and  is  still  a  member.  See  the 
account  of  Deerfield  pastors. 

66.  Rev.  Lorenzo  L.  Langstroth  joined  in  1843,  and  ceased  to  be  a  mem- 
ber in  1850.     See  the  account  of  Greenfield  pastors. 

67.  Rev.  Charles  Kendall  joined  in  1844,  and  is  still  a  member.  See  the 
account  of  Bernardston  pastors. 


.a  J  3  TORY     OF     FRANKLIN     ASSOCIATION.  443 

68.  Rev.  John  Eastman  joined  in  1845,  and  is  yet  a  member.  See  the 
account  of  Hawley  pastors. 

69.  Rev.  Abraham  Jackson  joined  in  1846,  and  was  dismissed  in  1847. 
See  the  account  of  Deerfield  pastors. 

70.  Rev.  James  H.  Merrill  joined  in  1846,  and  is  still  a  member.  Seethe 
account  of  Montague  pastors. 

71.  Rev.  Willard  Jones  joined  in  1846,  and  ceased  to  be  a  member  in 
18.53.  Mr.  Jones  was  born  in  Hillsboro',  N.  H.,  July  17,  1809  ;  graduated 
at  Dartmouth  in  1835  ;  studied  theology  at  Andover  and  Lane  Seminary  ; 
ordained  as  a  Foreign  Missionary,  July  4,  1839 ;  labored  as  a  missionary  at 
Oroomiah,  Persia,  from  1839  till  1844,  and  then  returned  to  the  United 
States  ;  and  since  then  has  preached  in  Windham,  N.  H.,  and  from  1845  to 
1850  in  Northfield,  and  from  1850  to  1852  in  North  Orange,  and  from  1852 
to  1853  in  Middletown,  Ct.,  and  in  1854  in  Pawtucket,  R.  I. 

72.  Rev.  Moses  H.  Wilder  joined  in  1847,  and  ceased  to  be  a  member  in 
1851.     See  the  account  of  Charlemont  pastors. 

73.  Rev.  Charles  Boyter  joined  in  1847,  and  ceased  to  be  a  member  in 
1851.  Mr.  Boyter  was  born  in  Hull,  West  Riding,  in  Yorkshire,  England, 
Feb.  2,  1798  ;  pursued  classical  studies  at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania, 
but  did  not  graduate  ;  studied  theology  at  Andover,  and  finished  the  course 
there  in  1825;  was  licensed  by  the  Suffolk  Association,  June  21, 1825;  was 
ordained  as  an  Evangelist  at  Sharon,  May  10,  1826 ;  was  installed  at 
Springfield,  N.  II.,  June  10,  1829,  and  was  dismissed  from  there  Oct.  2, 
1833 ;  was  installed  at  Truro,  March  16,  1836,  and  dismissed  from  there, 
June  6,  1843 ;  then  removed  to  Orange  and  supplied  there  several  years ; 
and  since  about  1850,  he  has  resided  in  Beverly,  N.  J. 

74.  Rev.  JVoadiah  S.  Dickinson  joined  in  1847,  and  was  dismissed  in 
1853.     See  the  account  of  Wendell  pastors. 

75.  Rev.  Willicmi  Miller  joined  in  1847,  and  was  dismissed  in  1850.  See 
the  account  of  Gill  pastors. 

76.  Rev.  Asa  B.  Smith  joined  in  1848,  and  is  still  a  member.  See  the 
account  of  Buckland  pastors. 

77.  Rev.  Ezra  JVeivton  joined  in  1848,  and  was  dismissed  in  1850.  See 
the  account  of  Shutesbury  pastors. 

78.  Rev.  George  C.  Partridge  joined  in  1848,  and  is  still  a  member.  See 
the  account  of  Greenfield  pastors. 

79.  Rev.  Zolva  Jniilmore  joined  in  1848,  and  was  dismissed  in  1850. 
Mr.  Whitmore  was  born  in  Rutland,  Vt.,  March  29,  1793 ;  graduated  at 
Union  in  1818  ;  studied  theology  with  Dr.  Emmons  of  Franklin  ;  was  set- 
tled as  pastor  at  North  Guilford,  Ct.,  Sept.  5,  1821,  and  was  dismissed  from 
there,  Aug.  31,  1846  ;  supplied  in  Heath  from  1848  to  1851 ;  and  was  in- 
stalled in  Becket,  Feb.  18,  1852,  where  he  still  resides. 

80.  Rev.  Cyrus  fV.  Allen  joined  in  1849,  and  was  dismissed  in  1853.  See 
the  account  of  Coleraine  pastors. 


444  HISTORY     OF     FRANKLIN     ASSOCIATION. 

81.  Rev.  David  A.  Strong  joined  in  1849,  and  is  still  a  member.  See  the 
account  of  Deerfield  pastors. 

82.  Rev.  Alfred  E.  Ives  joined  in  1849,  and  is  still  a  member.  See  the 
account  of  Deerfield  pastors. 

83.  Rev.  Aaron  Foster  joined  in  1850,  and  is  still  a  member.  See  the 
account  of  Charlemont  pastors. 

84.  Rev.  Moses  K.  Cross  joined  in  1850,  and  is  still  a  member.  See  the 
account  of  Deerfield  pastors. 

85.  Rev.  George  F.  Bronson  joined  in  1851,  and  is  still  a  member.  See 
the  account  of  Shelburne  pastors. 

86.  Rev.  Henry  B.  Hosford  joined  in  1851,  and  was  dismissed  in  1854. 
See  the  account  of  Sunderland  pastors. 

87.  Rev.  Edward  F.  Brooks  joined  in  1851,  and  is  still  a  member.  See 
the  account  of  Gill  pastors. 

88.  Rev.  George  M.  Adams  joined  in  1851,  and  is  still  a  member.  See 
the  account  of  Conway  pastors. 

89.  Rev.  Alpheus  Graves  joined  in  1851,  and  is  still  a  member.  See  the 
account  of  Heath  pastors. 

90.  Rev.  William  H.  Gilbert  joined  in  1852,  and  is  still  a  member.  See 
the  account  of  Ashfield  pastors. 

91.  Rev.  John  Ferguson  joined  in  1852,  and  is  still  a  member.  See  the 
account  of  Whately  pastors. 

92.  Rev.  Jeremiah  Pomroy  joined  in  1853,  and  is  still  a  member.  Mr. 
Pomroy  was  born  in  Soutliampton,  May  2,  1804  ;  graduated  at  Amherst  in 
1829  ;  studied  theology  at  Auburn;  was  licensed  by  the  Genesee  Consoci- 
ation in  the  State  of  New  York,  Oct.  4,  1831 ;  was  employed  several  years 
as  a  missionary  in  Western  New  York ;  was  ordained  by  the  same  body 
that  licensed  him  as  an  Evangelist,  October  7,  1833  ;  was  settled  as  pastor 
in  Troy,  N.  H.,  Jan  6,  1836,  and  the  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Lemuel 
P.  Bates  ;  was  dismissed  from  there,  Feb.  27, 1844  ;  preached  several  years 
at  Harrisville,  N.  H. ;  labored  one  year  as  a  colporteur  in  Franklin  County ; 
began  to  supply  in  Rowe  in  1852,  where  he  is  still  preaching  as  a  stated 
supply. 

93.  Rev.  James  Tisdale  joined  in  1853,  and  is  now  a  member.  Mr.  Tis- 
dale  was  born  in  Taunton,  Nov.  7,  1799 ;  graduated  at  Brown  in  1821  ; 
studied  theology  with  Rev.  Alvan  Cobb  of  Taunton  ;  was  ordained  as  pas- 
tor of  the  churches  in  Guildhall  and  Granby,  Vt.,  Sept.  29,  1830,  and  was 
dismissed  from  those  places.  May  4,  1836 ;  then  preached  four  years  at 
Dublin,  N.  H.,  and  seven  years  at  Gilsum,  N.  H.,  and  since  1851  has  preached 
as  a  stated  supply  in  Shutesbury,  where  he  still  resides. 

Of  the  93  who  have  been  members  of  the  Association,  2  have  been  For- 
eign Missionaries  ;  20  are  deceased  ;  and  25  are  now  connected  with  it. 


HISTORY     OF     FRANKLIN     ASSOCIATION.  445 


LICENTIATES    OF    FRANKLIN    ASSOCIATION. 

In  the  following  list  of  preachers  whom  the  Association  has  licensed, 
brief  sketches  are  given  of  those  who  have  not  already  been  noticed  in  this 
work  as  pastors  of  churches,  or  as  originating  from  the  county. 

1.*  Rev.  Freeman  Sears  was  licensed  1805.  See  the  account  of  ministers 
who  originated  from  Ashfield. 

2,*  Rev.  Avery  Williams  was  licensed  in  1805.  See  the  account  of  min- 
isters from  Leverett. 

3.  Rev.  JVbah  Cressey  was  licensed  in  180G.  See  the  account  of  minis- 
ters from  Rowe. 

4.*  Rev.  John  Alexander  was  licensed  in  1807.  He  was  born  in  Merri- 
mack, N.  H,,  Oct.  4,  1705 ;  never  graduated  at  any  college  ;  pursued  his 
studies  in  preparing  for  the  ministry  with  Rev.  Dr.  Harris  of  Hopkinton, 
N.  H.,  and  with  Rev.  Dr.  Packard  of  Shelburne.  He  was  ordained  as  an 
Evangelist,  but  was  never  settled  as  a  pastor.  He  spent  his  ministerial  life 
as  a  missionary  in  Western  New  York.  He  died  at  Peruville  in  Groton, 
Tompkins  County,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  28,  1830,  aged  65.  Rev.  Samuel  Parker 
preached  his  funeral  sermon.  His  remains  were  interred  in  Fabius,  N.  Y. 
He  buried  his  wife  a  short  time  previous  to  his  death,  and  has  two  daughters 
living.  The  following  epitaph  is  on  his  gravestone,  viz  :  "  The  pious  pil- 
grim and  messenger  of  Jesus  now  sleeps  in  dust,  to  be  waked  in  due  sea- 
son to  life  everlasting." 

5.  Rev.  Urbane  Hitchcock  was  licensed  in  1708.  See  the  account  of  min- 
isters from  Hawley. 

6.*  Rev.  Samiwl  Clark  was  licensed  in  1808.  He  was  born  in  Brookline, 
July  8,  1782  ;  graduated  at  Cambridge  in  1805  ;  studied  theology  with  Rev. 
Dr.  Pierce,  and  with  Rev.  Dr.  Sanger  of  Bridgewater  ;  was  settled  as  pastor 
in  Burlington,  Vt.,  April  19,  1810,  where  he  died,  May  2,  1827,  aged  44. 
Rev.  George  G.  Ingersoll,  his  successor,  published  an  obituary  of  hira 
highly  commendatory.     Mr.  Clark  became  a  Unitarian. 

7.  Rev.  Amariah  Chandler, D.  D.,  was  licensed  in  1808.  Seethe  account 
of  Greenfield  pastors. 

8.*  Rev.  Robert  Hubbard,  Jr.,  was  licensed  in  1809.  See  the  account  of 
ministers  from  Shelburne. 

9.  Rev.  Ira  M.  Olds  was  licensed  in  1809.  He  was  born  in  Marlboro', 
Vt.,  Oct.  2 1,.  1783  ;  graduated  at  Williams  in  1808  ;  studied  theology  with 
Rev.  Dr.  Packard  of  Shelburne;  was  a  settled  pastor  for  a  long  period  over 
the  churches  in  Lenox  and  Sullivan,  N.  Y. ;  was  dismissed  from  them  in 
1832  ;  then  removed  to  South  Lyon,  Oakland  County,  Michigan,  where  he 
still  lives  and  preaches  occasionally. 

10.  Rev.  Rufus  Pomeroy  was  licensed  in  1809.  He  was  born  at  South- 
ampton, Aug.  27,  1784  ;  graduated  at  Williams  in  1808;  studied  theology 
with  Rev.  Dr.  Packard  of  Shelburne ;  was  ordained  as  pastor  at  Salisbury, 


446  HISTORY     OF     FRANKLIN     ASSOCIATION. 

Vt.,  Oct.  15,  1811,  and  dismissed  from  there,  Nov.  20,  1816 ;  then  supplied 
two  years  in  South  Deerfield  ;  was  installed  in  Chester,  Oct.  20,  1819,  and 
was  dismissed  from  there  in  1827;  was  installed  pastor  in  Otis,  Feb,  15, 
1832,  and  was  dismissed  from  there,  Aug.  6,  1835,  but  has  continued  to 
reside  there  till  this  time.  When  not  settled  in  the  ministry  he  has  supplied 
destitute  churches ;  and  numerous  powerful  revivals  have  attended  his  min- 
isterial labors. 

11.  Hon.  Byram  Green  was  licensed  in  1810.  He  was  born  in  Windsor, 
April  15,  1786 ;  graduated  at  Williams  in  1808;  studied  theology  with 
Rev.  Dr.  Packard  of  Shelburne ;  preached  in  Pompey,  N.  Y.,  and  in  Hen- 
derson, N.  Y.,  for  short  periods,  but  ill  health  constrained  him  to  relinquish 
preaching.  He  was  never  settled  as  a  pastor.  He  spent  a  short  season  in 
teaching  on  the  island  of  Beaufort,  S.  C.  For  about  forty  years  he  has 
resided  in  Sodus,  N.  Y.,  and  has  been  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits. 
He  has  been  actively  engaged  in  promoting  the  interests  of  religion,  of 
Sabbath  Schools,  Bible  Classes,  and  of  Temperance,  in  the  neighborhood 
of  his  residence.  He  has  likewise  held  various  civil  offices, — Justice  of  the 
Peace,  Judge,  member  of  the  State  Assembly  and  of  the  Senate,  Visitor 
and  Inspector  of  the  Military  Academy  at  West  Point,  and  member  of 
Congress  in  1844  and  1845.     He  still  resides  in  Sodus,  N.  Y. 

12.*  Rev.  Ezra  Fisk,  D.D.,  was  licensed  in  1810.  See  the  account  of 
ministers  from  Shelburne. 

13.*  Rev.  Lyman  Barrett  was  licensed  in  1810.  He  originated  from 
Williamstown,  and  was  born  about  1780 ;  graduated  at  Williams  in  1808  ; 
studied  theology  with  Rev.  Dr.  Packard  of  Shelburne  ;  preached  for  several 
years  in  Phelps,  N.  Y. ;  was  ordained  at  Naples,  N.  Y.,  May  21,  1815, 
where  he  remained  about  eleven  years ;  in  1827  he  removed  to  Howard,  N. 
Y.,  and  supplied  the  church  in  that  place  till  1834,  and  continued  to  live  in 
the  place  and  supply  neighboring  churches  till  1838,  when  he  removed  to 
Peru,  Huron  County,  Ohio,  and  died  in  Greenfield,  Huron  County,  Ohio, 
Sept.  13,  1842,  aged  62.  Rev.  Mr.  Conger  preached  his  funeral  sermon. 
He  left  a  widow  who  died  in  1851,  and  four  daughters  and  one  son.  His 
son  resides  in  Marion,  Marion  County,  Ohio.  Rev.  Mr.  Barrett  was  em- 
ployed many  years  as  a  missionary  in  the  Counties  of  Yates  and  Livingston, 
N.  Y.,  and  preached  in  many  other  places  in  that  state. 

14.  Rev.  William  B.  Stowe  was  licensed  in  1812.  He  was  born  in  Marl- 
borough, Jan.  1,  1782;  graduated  at  Williams  in  1811  ;  studied  theology 
with  Rev.  Dr.  Packard  of  Shelburne  ;  was  ordained  as  pastor  in  Wilming- 
ton, Vt.,  July  15,  1812,  where  he  remained  three  years  ;  he  then  resided  six 
years  in  his  native  place  and  supplied  neighboring  churches;  in  1823  re- 
moved to  Alexandria,  N.  Y.,  and  preached  there  and  in  neighboring  places 
ten  years;  in  1833  was  settled  in  Mexico,  N.  Y.,  where  he  remained  a  few 
years,  and  then  removed  to  Bergen,  N.  Y. ;  then  resided  with  his  cJiildren 
in  various  parts  of  New  York  State,  and  in  1851  removed  from  Addison,  N. 


HISTORY     OF     FRANKLIN     ASSOCIATION.  447 

Y.,  to  Ridgeville  Corners,  Henry  County,  Ohio,  where  he  now  resides  and 
preaches.     He  has  one  son  who  is  a  minister  of  the  gospel. 

15.  Rev.  William  Goodell  Avas  licensed  in  1813.  He  was  born  in  West- 
minster, Vt.,  June  18,  1783;  graduated  at  Middlebury  in  1811,  and  was  a 
tutor  in  that  college  for  several  years ;  studied  theology  with  Rev.  Dr. 
Packard  of  Shelburne ;  was  settled  as  pastor  in  Grafton,  Vt.,  in  September, 
1814;  was  installed  in  March,  1822,  in  Holland  Patent,  Oneida  County,  N. 
Y.,  and  was  dismissed  from  there  in  1829  ;  then  preached  for  short  periods 
in  Deerfield,  Russia,  Lenox,  Summerhill,  Howard,  and  Napoli,  all  in  New 
York.  For  about  four  years  past  he  has  been  laboring  as  an  agent  of  the 
American  Tract  Society  in  New  York.  His  present  residence  is  Cameron 
Mills,  Steuben  County,  N.Y.  His  wife,  who  was  Miss  Mary  Arms  of  Green- 
field, died  Sept.  14,  1850.     He  has  buried  two  children,  and  has  two  living. 

16.  Rev.  Roswell  Hawks  was  licensed  in  1813.  See  the  account  of  minis- 
ters from  Charlemont. 

17.  Rev.  Preserved  Smith,  Jr.,  was  licensed  in  1813.  See  the  account  of 
ministers  from  Rowe. 

18.*  Rev.  Luke  lildlcomh  was  licensed  in  1814.  He  was  born  in  New- 
fane,  Vt.,  in  1789  ;  graduated  at  Middlebury  in  1813;  supplied  in  Ashfield 
in  1814  ;  was  settled  as  a  pastor  in  Townsend,  Vt.,  Aug.  30,  1815  ;  went  to 
Georgia  for  his  health  in  1820,  and  died  in  Savannah,  Ga.,  Jan.  2,  1821, 
aged  32.  Rev.  James  Tufts  of  Wardsboro',  Vt.,  preached  a  sermon  at 
Townsend,  Vt.,  on  the  occasion  of  his  death ;  and  Rev.  Hosea  Beckley  of 
Dummerston,  Vt.,  wrote  a  biography  of  him;  both  of  which  were  published. 
The  following  is  extracted  from  the  biographical  notice  of  him,  viz. :  "  As  a 
minister  of  Christ,  the  pastor  of  a  church,  and  a  preacher  of  the  word,  he 
possessed  many  and  superior  endowments.  The  fundamental  doctrines  of 
the  gospel,  as  understood  by  Calvinists,  he  firmly  believed,  sincerely  loved, 
and  defended  witli  ability.  These  doctrines  were  exemplified  in  his  life 
and  conversation." 

19.*  Rev.  Pliny  Fisk  was  licensed  in  1815.  See  the  account  of  ministers 
from  Shelburne. 

20.  Rev.  Caleb  Clark  was  licensed  in  1815.  See  the  account  of  ministers 
from  New  Salem. 

21.*  Rev.Slalham  Clary  was  licensed  in  1823.  See  the  account  of  minis- 
ters from  Conway. 

22.  Rev.  Hiram  Smith  was  licensed  in  1824.  He  was  born  in  Westfield, 
Sept.  21,  1800;  graduated  at  Amherst  in  1823;  studied  theology  with  Rev. 
Dr.  Packard  of  Shelburne  ;  was  ordained  as  an  Evangelist  in  Shelburne  in 
1830,  and  Rev.  Aretas  Loomis  preached  on  the  occasion ;  was  never  settled 
as  a  pastor ;  has  preached  at  Wilmington  and  Dover,  Vt. ;  among  the  In- 
dians at  Cattaraugus,  N.  Y. ;  Marcellus,  N.  Y. ;  Bristol,  Michigan ;  Camden, 
Ohio ;  and  for  many  years  past  has  been  living  in  Castalia,  O.,  teaching  and 
preaching,  where  he  still  resides. 


448  HISTORY     OF     FRANKLIN     ASSOCIATION. 

23.  Rev.  Amasa  Converse  D.  D.,  was  licensed  in  1824.  He  was  born  in 
Lyme,  N.  H.,  Aug.  21,  1795 ;  graduated  at  Dartmouth  in  1822;  studied 
theology  at  the  Princeton  Seminary  ;  preached  several  years  in  Virginia  ; 
was  ordained  as  an  Evangelist  in  April,  1826;  and  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Arm- 
strong preached  on  the  occasion ;  then  became  an  editor  of  the  "  Family 
Visitor"  in  Richmond,  Va.,  and  ever  since  has  been  employed  in  the  edi- 
torial department,  and  for  some  years  has  been  editor  of  the  "  Christian 
Observer"  in  Philadelphia.  He  received  his  doctorate  from  Mississippi 
College  at  Clinton,  Miss.,  in  1846. 

24.  Rev.  Samuel  Jl.  Biimstead  was  licensed  in  1825.  He  was  born  in 
Boston,  Dec.  16,  1801 ;  graduated  at  Middlebury  in  1820 ;  studied  theology 
at  the  Princeton  Seminary ;  preached  several  years  in  Boston,  and  was  there 
ordained  as  an  Evangelist  in  1828,  and  the  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev. 
James  Sabine;  was  installed  as  pastor  in  Manayunk,  Penn.,  Nov.  4,  1829, 
and  in  1835  was  settled  as  pastor  of  the  church  in  Roxborough  near  by  his 
other  charge,  and  was  pastor  of  both  churches  till  1841,  when  he  resigned 
his  charge  of  the  Manayunk  church,  and  has  continued  his  connection  with 
the  church  at  Roxborough,  Penn.,  till  the  present  time. 

25.  Rev.  Edwards  Jl.  Beach  was  licensed  in  1826.  He  was  born  in  Tin- 
mouth,  Vt.,  Sept.  6,  1796,  and  in  early  life  removed  to  New  Lebanon,  N. 
Y. ;  graduated  at  Amherst  in  1824  ;  was  ordained  as  pastor  in  Stephentown, 
N.  Y.,  June  11,  1828 ;  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Dr.  Beman;  was  dis- 
missed from  there  in  May,  1834 ;  was  installed  as  pastor  in  East  Groton,  N. 
y.,  in  April,  1835,  and  the  sermon  was  by  Rev.  N.  E.  Johnson ;  was  dis- 
missed from  there  in  February,  1840  ;  then  removed  to  Ohio,  and  was  settled 
as  pastor  in  Homer,  O.,  in  November,  1843,  and  resigned  his  charge  there 
in  1851  on  account  of  ill  health;  and  has  been  able  to  preach  but  little 
since.  He  now  resides  in  Johnstown,  Licks  County,  Ohio.  In  the  early 
part  of  his  ministry  Mr.  Beach  preached  in  Northern  Pennsylvania.  Fre- 
quent and  extensive  revivals  have  attended  his  pastoral  and  ministerial 
labors. 

26.  Rev.  Theophilus  Packard,  Jr.  was  licensed  in  1826.  See  the  account 
of  Shelburne  pastors. 

27.  Rev.  Horatio  Flagg  was  licensed  in  1827.  See  the  account  of  Cole- 
raine  pastors. 

28.  Rev.  Moses  B.  Bradford  was  licensed  in  1827.  See  the  account  of 
Montague  pastors. 

29.  Rev.  Mollis  J^ead  was  licensed  in  1829.  He  was  born  in  Newfane, 
Vt.,  Aug.  26,  1802 ;  graduated  at  Williams  in  1826 ;  finished  the  theolog- 
ical course  at  Princeton  Seminary  in  1829  ;  was  ordained  as  an  Evangelist 
by  the  Presbytery  of  Newburyport  at  Boston,  Sept.  24,  1829 ;  sailed  as  a 
Foreign  Missionary  for  Bombay,  Aug.  2,  1830,  and  was  connected,  for  the 
most  part,  with  the  Ahmednugger  Mission.  He  returned  to  this  country  in 
1835  ;  and  has  supplied  in  Babylon  on  Long  Island ;  has  been  a  pastor  sev- 


HISTORY    OF     FRANKLIN     ASSOCIATION.  449 

eral  years  in  Derby,  Ct. ;  and  about  six  years  in  New  Preston,  Ct. ;  since 
1851  he  has  resided  in  Orange,  N.  J.,  teaching  and  preaching.  He  has 
published  several  works,  and,  among  others,  the  "  Memoir  of  Rev.  W.  J. 
Armstrong,  D.  D." 

30.*  Mr.  William  Eastman  was  licensed  in  1829.  He  was  born  in 
Granby,  Jan.  4, 1796  ;  graduated  at  Williams  in  1817  ;  engaged  for  several 
years  in  teaching  ;  taught  in  Granby  and  in  Georgia ;  studied  theology  at 
Princeton  Seminary ;  labored  as  a  colporteur  in  Kentucky ;  taught  the 
Academy  at  Ovid,  N.  Y. ;  then  removed  to  Newton,  Calhoun  County,  Mich., 
where  he  engaged  in  agriculture,  and  preached  as  his  health  %vould  allow. 
He  died  in  Newton,  Mich.,  Feb.  16,  1853,  aged  57.  Rev.  A.  W.  Bushnell 
preached  his  funeral  sermon.  Mr.  Eastman  was  never  ordained.  He  buried 
his  first  wife  in  1845.  He  left  one  child,  a  son.  His  second  wife  died 
Feb.  16,  1852. 

31.  Rev.  Anson  Dyer  was  licensed  in  1829,  and  was  excluded  in  1834. 
See  the  account  of  ministers  from  Ashfield. 

32.  Rev.  Charles  P.  Russell  was  licensed  in  1830.  See  the  account  of 
ministers  from  Greenfield. 

33.  Rev.  Oren  Johnson  was  licensed  in  1831.  See  the  account  of  minis- 
ters from  Coleraine. 

34.  Rev.  John  Eastman  was  licensed  in  1833.  See  the  account  of  Haw- 
ley  pastors. 

35.  Rev.  John  C.  Thompson  was  licensed  in  1835.  See  the  account  of 
Rowe  pastors. 

36.  Rev.  Alonzo  Sanderson  was  licensed  in  1837.  See  the  account  of 
ministers  from  Deerfield. 

37.  Rev.  Lemuel  Leonard  was  licensed  in  1838.  See  the  account  of  min- 
isters from  Charlemont. 

38.  Rev.  Lebheus  R.  Phillips  was  licensed  in  1838.  See  the  account  of 
ministers  from  Buckland. 

39.  Rev.  Francis  TVilliams  was  licensed  in  1840.  See  the  account  of 
ministers  from  Ashfield. 

40.  Rev.  Alpheus  Graves  was  licensed  in  1840.  See  the  account  of  min- 
isters from  Sunderland. 

41.*  Mr.  Spencer  S.  Clark  was  licensed  in  1842.  The  following  is  ex- 
tracted from  an  obituary  of  him,  published  in  the  New  England  Puritan,  viz. 
"  Died  in  South  Deerfield,  Oct.  12,  (1844, )  Mr.  Spencer  S.  Clark,  aged  29. 
Mr.  Clark  graduated  at  Amherst  College  in  the  class  of  1839,  and  com- 
pleted his  theological  studies  at  Auburn,  in  August,  1842.  He  immediately 
commenced  preaching  in  West  Groton,  N.  Y.  He  occupied  this  field  of 
labor  a  little  over  a  year.  He  won  the  affections  of  the  people,  and  re- 
ceived earnest  invitations  to  continue  with  them.  Eut  thinking  that  a  situ- 
ation in  New  England  would  be  more  congenial  to  his  feelings,  and  better 
adapted  to  his  talents,  he  returned  to  his  father's,  in  South  Deerfield,  the 
57 


450  HISTORY     OF     FRANKLIN     ASSOCIATION. 

latter  of  part  of  November  last,  where  he  remained  the  greater  part  of  the 
winter.  In  the  spring  he  commenced  preaching  in  Sullivan,  N.  H.  He 
was  rapidly  working  himself  into  the  confidence  and  love  of  the  people, 
and  a  settlement  was  mutually  anticipated.  On  the  4th  of  July,  he  was 
invited  to  deliver  an  address  in  the  open  air.  He  took  a  violent  cold,  which, 
fastening  on  his  lungs,  in  a  little  more  than  three  months  terminated  in 
death."  Mr.  Clark  was  born  in  Southampton,  Oct.  31, 1815,  and  commenced 
residing  in  South  Deerfield  in  1839.  Rev.  Sereno  D.  Clark  preached  his 
funeral  sermon. 

42.*  Rev.  Alfred  Longley  was  licensed  in  1843.  See  the  account  of  min- 
isters from  Hawley. 

43.  Rev.  Thomas  S.  J\torton  was  licensed  in  1844.  He  was  born  in  New 
Braintree,  Nov.  25,  1813,  but  spent  his  early  life  chiefly  in  Ware;  gradu- 
ated at  Amherst  in  1840  ;  studied  theology  with  Rev.  Dr.  Hawes  of  Hart- 
ford, Ct.,  and  at  East  Windsor  Hill ;  was  ordained  as  pastor  in  Sullivan, 
N.  H.,  Feb.  4,  1846,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Barstow  of  Keene,  N.  H.,  preached  on 
the  occasion.  A  revival  was  enjoyed  under  Mr.  Norton's  labors  in  1853. 
He  still  continues  in  Sullivan. 

44.  Rev.  Orramel  W.  Cooky  was  licensed  in  1845.  See  the  account  of 
ministers  from  Hawley. 

45.  Mr.  Samuel  Fisk  was  licensed  in  1853.  See  the  account  of  preach- 
ers from  Shelburne. 

Of  the  45  Licentiates  of  the  Association,  2  became  Foreign  Missiona- 
ries ;  and  13  are  deceased. 


APPENDIX. 


The  following  statistical  and  historical  matters  relative  to  Franklin 
County  are  appended  to  the  preceding  pages,  to  present,  in  a  compact  and 
convenient  form  for  reference,  a  variety  of  important  general  information 
respecting  the  county. 


TABLE  No.  I. 

TTiis  Table  gives  the  dates  of  the  incorporation  of  the  towns  in  FranMin 
County ;  and  the  Valuation  of  the  Polls  and  Property  of  each  town,  as 
established  by  the  Legislature  of  Massachusetts,  March  16,  1841,  and  April 
28,  1851. 


Towns. 

Dates  of  Incorporation. 

Valuation  in  1841. 

Valuation  in  1851. 

Ashfield,     - 

June    17,1765, 

#326,945  GO 

#525,901  00 

Bernardston, 

March  6,  1762, 

210,083  00 

375,366  00 

Buckland,    - 

April   14,  1779, 

159,844  00 

227,773  00 

Charlemont, 

June    21,  1765, 

221,941  00 

361,311  00 

Coleraine,   - 

June    30,  1761, 

420,180  00 

642,893  00 

Conway, 

June    16,1767, 

422,558  00 

679,492  00 

Deerfield,    - 

May     24,  1682, 

579,020  00 

1,009,306  00 

Erving, 

April  17,  1838, 

58,785  00 

154,821  00 

Gill,    -        -        - 

Sept.   28,  1793, 

180,386  00 

293,207  00 

Greenfield,  - 

June      9,  1753, 

561,175  00 

1,072,889  00 

Hawley, 

Feb.      7,  1792, 

175,187  00 

273,212  00 

Heath, 

Feb.     14,  1785, 

195,811  00 

263,640  00 

Leverett,     - 

March   5,  1774, 

162,473  00 

266,704  00 

Leyden, 

March  12, 1784, 

170,897  00 

199,268  00 

Monroe, 

Feb.     21,1822, 

231,809  00 

60,538  00 

Montague,  - 

Dec.    22,1753, 

41,750  00 

447,222  00 

New  Salem, 

June    15,  1753, 

262,313  00 

410,657  00 

Northfield,  - 

Feb.    22,1714, 

436,876  00 

726,681  00 

Orange, 

Oct.     15,  1783, 

289,298  00 

686,974  00 

Rowe, 

Feb.      9,  1785, 

159,424  00 

215,432  00 

Shelburne,  - 

June    21,1768, 

255,944  00 

470,874  00 

Shutesbury, 

June    30,  1761, 

177,954  00 

248,125  0 

Sunderland, 

Feb.     14,  1714, 

183,279  00 

316,442  00 

Warwick,    - 

Feb.     17,  1763, 

260,100  00 

454,605  00 

Wendell,     - 

May       8,  1781, 

183,735  00 

389,204  00 

Whately,     - 

April  24,  1771, 

220,927  00 

438,772  00 

#6,548,694  00 

#11,211,309  00 

452 


APPENDIX, 


TABLE  No.  II. 

TTiis  Table  gives  the  Population  of  the  Toivns  of  the  County  according  to  the 
decennial  Census  of  the  United  States,  from  1790  to  1850. 


Towns. 

1790. 

1800. 

1810. 

1820. 

1830. 

1840. 

18.J0. 

Ashfield, 

1,459 

1,741 

1,809 

1,748 

1,732 

1,610 

1,394 

Bernardston,    - 

691 

780 

811 

912 

918 

992 

937 

Buckland, 

718 

1,041 

1,097 

1,037 

1,039 

1,084 

1,056 

Charlemont,      - 

743 

1,090 

1,107 

1,231 

1,194 

1,127 

1,173 

Coleraine, 

1,417 

2,014 

2,016 

1,961 

1,877 

1,971 

1,785 

Conway, 

2,092 

2,013 

1,784 

1,705 

1,563 

1,409 

1.831 

Deerfield, 

1,330 

1,531 

1,570 

1,868 

2,003 

1,912 

2,421 

Erving,    -         -         - 

_ 

. 

160 

331 

488 

30ii 

449 

Gill, 

. 

700 

762 

800 

864 

798 

754 

Greenfield, 

1,498 

1,254 

1,165 

1,361 

1,540 

1,756 

2,580 

Hawley.  -        -        - 

539 

878 

1,031 

1,089 

1,037 

977 

881 

Heath,  '  - 

379 

604 

917 

1,122 

1,199 

89.- 

803 

Leverett, 

524 

711 

769 

857 

939 

875 

948 

Leyden,  -        -        - 

989 

1,095 

1,009 

974 

796 

632 

716 

Monroe,  -         -         - 

- 

_ 

- 

. 

265 

282 

254 

Montague, 

906 

1,222 

934 

1,074 

1,152 

1,255 

1,518 

New  Salem,     - 

1,543 

1,949 

2,107 

2,146 

1,889 

1,305 

1,253 

Northfield, 

868 

1,047 

1,218 

1,584 

1,757 

l,67li 

1.772 

Orange,  -        -        - 

784 

766 

764 

829 

880 

1,501 

1,700 

Rowe,      -        -        . 

443 

575 

839 

851 

716 

703 

659 

Shelburne, 

1,183 

1,079 

96] 

1,022 

995 

1,022 

1,239 

Shutesbury, 

674 

930 

939 

1,029 

986 

987 

912 

Sunderland, 

462 

537 

551 

597 

666 

719 

792 

Warwick, 

1,246 

1,233 

1,227 

1,256 

1,150 

1,071 

1,021 

Wendell, 

519 

737 

983 

958 

874 

875 

920 

Whately, 

736 

773 

891 

1,076 

1,111 

1,072 

1,101 

21,743 

26,300 

27,421 

29,418 

29,630 

28,812 

30,869 

APPENDIX. 


453 


TABLE  No.  III. 

This  Table  shoivs  the  number  of  Public  Schools  ;  the  amount  raised  hy  tax  for 
schools ;  the  number  of  children  between  5  and  15  years  of  age  in  town;  the 
average  attendance  upon  school  in  each  of  the  towns  ;  the  ratable  polls ;  the 
voters — all  in  1852  ;  and  tJie  State  tax  in  1853. 


Towns. 

1 

1. 
Is 

i 

a 
1 
< 
1 

Amount  raised  by 
Tax  for  Schools. 

1 

Tax  in  1853. 

§. 

§i 

1 

^ 

Ashfield,  - 

14 

342 

249 

#800  00 

385 

365 

#288  00 

Bernardston,     - 

6 

239 

182 

500  00 

248 

217 

20100 

Buckland, 

10 

236 

204 

506  25 

276 

236 

14100 

Charlemont,      - 

11 

242 

207 

600  00 

294 

272 

204  00 

Coleraine, 

18 

425 

315 

1,000  00 

435 

408 

348  00 

Conway,  - 

16 

418 

266 

980  75 

444 

409 

369  00 

Deerfield, 

16 

431 

327 

1,293  00 

650 

550 

540  00 

Erving,     - 

3 

95 

77 

250  00 

145 

115 

90  00 

Gill,         -        - 

6 

172 

132 

500  00 

189 

165 

153  00 

Greenfield, 

10 

550 

386 

2,200  00 

643 

503 

570  00 

Hawley,  - 

9 

229 

161 

500  00 

215 

198 

153  00 

Heath,     - 

9 

205 

177 

600  00 

179 

162 

144  00 

Leverett,  - 

7 

205 

149 

410  00 

234 

198 

153  00 

Leyden,   - 

5 

164 

130 

400  00 

153 

145 

111  00 

Monroe,    - 

4 

62 

43 

167  00 

64 

59 

36  00 

Montague, 

14 

338 

309 

1,014  00 

374 

323 

252  00 

New  Salem,      - 

12 

294 

250 

1,000  00 

369 

289 

228  00 

Northfield, 

14 

359 

286 

1,000  00 

477 

418 

390  00 

Orange,    - 

13 

360 

320 

1,000  00 

445 

411 

369  00 

Rowe,      - 

7 

154 

123 

500  00 

163 

144 

120  00 

Shelburne, 

10 

268 

222 

800  00 

290 

290 

252  00 

Shutesbury, 

10 

249 

170 

600  00 

218 

204 

14100 

Sunderland, 

7 

170 

168 

700  00 

209 

188 

17100 

Warwick, 

10 

220 

178 

715  71 

256 

221 

240  00 

Wendell, 

11 

192 

136 

450  00 

260 

197 

210  00 

Whately, 

8 

237 

149 

650  00 

311 

281 

240  00 

260' 

6,856  i    - 

$19,136  71 

7,866 

6,968 

#6,117  00 

COURTS  IN  THE  COUNTY. 

Supreme  Court. — Judges.     Chief  Justice,  Lemuel  Shaw. 
Associate  Justices,  Charles  A.  Dewey,  Theron  Metcalf,  George  T.  Bige- 
low,  B.  F.  Thomas,  and  Pliny  Merrick. 

Sittings. —  Greenfield,  3d  Tuesday  in  April  and  2d  Tuesday  in  September. 


454  APPENDIX. 

Common  Pleas. — Judges.     Chief  Justice,  Daniel  Wells. 

jlssociafe  Justices,  E.  Mellen,  J.  C.  Perkins,  H.  Byington,  E.  R.  Hoar,  H. 
W.  Bishop,  and  G.  N.  Briggs. 

Sittiiigs. —  Greenjield,  Sd  Monday  in  March,  2d  Monday  in  August,  and 
2d  Monday  in  November. 

Probate  Court. — Judge,  Franklin  Ripley;  Register,  Charles  Mattoon. 

Siitiiigs. —  Greerifield,  2d  Tuesdays  of  February,  March,  and  May;  4th 
Tuesday  in  August,  2d  Tuesday  in  October,  1st  Tuesday  in  November,  and 
3d  Tuesday  in  December. 

Conway,  1st  Tuesday  in  February  and  3d  Tuesday  in  July. 

Charkmont,  3d  Tuesdays  in  May  and  October. 

Orange,  last  Tuesday  of  April  and  3d  Tuesday  of  September. 

JVorthfield,  on  the  Wednesdays  next  after  the  last  Tuesdays  of  April,  and 
the  third  Tuesday  in  September. 

Shutesbury,  (Lock's  Village,)  on  Friday  next  after  the  last  Tuesday  of 
April,  and  the  Friday  next  after  the  3d  '1  uesday  of  September. 

(All  acts  providing  for  holding  Probate  Courts  in  Warwick  and  Wendell 
were  repealed  in  1850.) 

Clerk  of  the  Courts,  George  Grennell. 

Register  of  Deeds,  Almon  Brainard. 

COUNSELORS. 

Greenfield. — David  Aiken,  Charles  Allen,  D.  W.  Alvord,  A.  Brainard, 
G.  T.  Davis,  W.  T.  Davis,  G.  Grennell,  Whiting  Griswold,  S.  O.  Lamb, 
H.  G.  Newcomb,  H.  G.  Parker,  George  D.  Wells,  and  David  Willard. 
Charlemont. — Sylvester  Maxwell.  Coleraine. — William  Lanfair.  Deer- 
field. — Pliny  Arms,  and  J.  A.  Saxton.  Montague. — Jonathan  Hartwell. 
Orange. — R.  D.  Chase,  and  Stephen  Emery.  Shelburne  (Falls). — S.  F. 
Field,  and  Arthur  Maxwell.     Sunderland.— U.  W.  Taft. 

PHYSICIANS. 

Ashfield. — Sidney  Brooks,  Charles  L.  Knowlton,  and  J.  Warren.  Ber- 
nardston. — John  Brooks,  and  E.  W.  Carpenter.  Buckland. — Josiah  Trow. 
C^arZemonf.— Stephen  Bates,  D.  B.  Hawks,  and  M.  F.  Potter.  Cole- 
raine.— A.  C.  Dean,  and  C.  Puffer.  Conway. — Henry  A.  Collins,  E.  D. 
Hamilton,  and  G.  W.  Hamilton.  Deerfield.—G.  F.  Gale,  N.  Gilman,  and 
W.  M.  Trow.  Gill. — Joel  Lyons.  Greenfield. — James  Deane,  D.  D.  Fisk, 
Daniel  Hovey,  E.  H.  R.  Revere,  L.  D.  Seymour,  and  S.  Stearns.  Heath. — 
Cyrus  Temple.  Montague. — David  Bradford,  Anson  Cobb,  and  George 
Wright.  Leyden. — Edwin  Haynes.  Leverett. — David  Rice.  JVeio  Salem. — 
Robert  Andrews,  and  E.  G.Williams.  Nbrthfield.—PhiWip  Hall,  M.  S.  Mead, 
and  E.  Stratton.  Orange. — Edward  Barton,  and  H.  A.  Meachum.  Rowe. — 
H.  Gould.  Shelbtirne.—D.  S.  Beals,  George  Bull,  C.  M.  Duncan,  S.  J.  W. 
Tabor,  and  Milo  Wilson.    Shutesbury. — Lewis  Bemis.    Sunderland. — N. 


APPENDIX. 


455 


G.  Troiv.     Warmck. — Amos  Taylor.     Wendell. — Lucius  Cook.    Mhately. — 
Chester  Bordwell  2d,  and  Myron  Harwood. 

BANKS. 

Greenfield  Bank.— Capital  $200,000. 
Franklin  County  Bank.— Capital  $150,000. 
Franklin  Savings  Bank.— Deposits  $180,000. 

PAPERS. 

Gazette  and  Courier,  Greenfield,  S.  S.  Eastman,  Publisher. 
American  Republic,  "  C.  J.  J.  IngersoU,     " 

Franklin  Democrat,  "  C.  Mirick,  " 

SOCIETIES. 

Franklin  County  Agricultural  Society,  organized  May,  1850. 

Franklin  District  Medical  Society,  organized  1851. 

Common  School  Association  of  Franklin  County,  organized  1846. 

PRODUCTIONS  AND  FACTORIES. 

In  1850,  there  were  raised  in  Franklin  County,  of  corn,  223,359  bushels  ; 
of  potatoes,  185,114  bushels;  of  hay,  52,766  tons;  produced  of  butter, 
833,266  pounds;  and  there  were  4  cotton  factories,  8  woollen  factories; 
16  grist  mills,  54  saw  and  planing  mills ;  3  iron  founderies ;  21  tanneries ; 
2  manufactories  of  cutlery,  4  manufactories  of  edged  tools,  12  of  brooms, 
18  of  cabinet  ware,  17  of  boots  and  shoes,  and  10  of  agricultural  imple- 
ments. 

BENEVOLENT  CONTRIBUTIONS. 

The  Orthodox  Congregational  people  of  the  county  have  patronized  the 
following  Benevolent  Societies — and  the  Bible  Society  has  been  patronized 
more  or  less  by  other  denominations,  viz. : — 

The  Hampshire  Missionary  Society  for  Domestic  Missions,  embracing 
what  are  now  Hampshire,  Hampden,  and  Franklin  Counties,  was  formed  at 
Northampton,  Jan.  5,  1802.  The  contributions  of  Franklin  County  to  this 
society,  in  1803,  were  $279  20. 

The  Foreign  Missionary  Society  of  Franklin  County,  was  organized  JUne 
30,  1812. 

The  Bible  Society  of  the  county,  was  formed  Oct.  21,  1817. 

The  Education  Society  of  the  county,  auxiliary  to  the  American  Educa- 
tion Society,  was  formed  Oct.  29,  1817. 

The  Domestic  Missionary  Society  of  the  county,  was  formed  Aug.  5, 1828. 

These  and  various  other  Benevolent  Societies  of  the  county  have  held 
their  anniversaries  together  since  1832,  and  for  many  years  have  had  their 
annual  reports  published  together. 


456 


APPENDIX, 


The  following  Table  exhibits  the  amount  contributed  each  year,  for  the 
ten  last  years,  to  all  tlie  objects  of  benevolence,  by  all  the  Orthodox  Con- 
gregational churches  and  societies  in  the  county,  except  those  in  Whately. 


In  1844, 
1845, 
1846, 
1847, 
1848, 
1849, 
1850, 
1851, 
1852, 
1853, 


Total  in  ten  years, 


$3,751  87 

3,846  42 

5,077  38 

5,775  42 

4,783  50 

5,500  29 

7,835  47 

5,526  71 

5,019  68 

5,088  63 

$52,205  19 

RECOMMENDATION  OF  FRANKLIN  ASSOCIATION. 

Resolved,  That  this  Association  have  learned  Avith  pleasure  that  Rev. 
Theophilus  Packard,  Jr.  has  in  press  and  soon  to  be  published,  a  History  of 
the  Churches  and  Ministers  of  Franklin  County,  together  with  a  History  of 
Franklin  Association ;  and  in  view  of  the  importance  of  the  work,  its  great 
interest  to  the  county,  and  the  well-known  accuracy  and  ability  of  the  com- 
piler in  statistical  and  historical  inquiries,  we  desire  to  recommend,  and  feel 
a  strong  confidence  in  recommending  the  work  to  the  churches  of  the 
county  and  to  the  inhabitants  generally. 

Henry  Seymour,  Moderator. 

James  H.  Merrill,  Scribe. 
South  Deerjield,  Mass.,  May  3,  1854. 


'^:.r^,^  :.i^J'(-7-  i-V^'ff^^-^yry;^^^^^^ 


ERRORS  CORRECTED. 


Page  22. 
•'  37, 
"  48, 
"    175, 

"    tO'J, 
"    29(3, 


297, 
304., 
382, 
39  i, 


Isl  mid  2  1  lines,  for  March  26,  read  April  29. 

IGth  Imo  from  llie  bottom,  for  1771,  read  1773. 

17ih  line  from  the  top,  for  6lh,  read  4ih. 

2d  line  from  the  lop,  for  and  are,  read  lohich  is. 

8lh  line  from  the  bottom,  for  excited,  read  excite. 

afier  ibe  Sih  line  from  ihc  bottom,  in'^ert  the  following; — Rev.  H.  M.  Bridge, 
a  Mullwdist  minister  from  Norlhfield,  has  very  recently  become  a  Congrega- 
tional minister. 

13ih  line  from  the  top,  for  P.  W.  Bridge,  read  /.  W.  Bridge. 

K'lh  and  1  Ith  lines  from  the  bottom,  for  ordained,  read  organized. 

IBlh  line  from  the  top,  for  his,  read  this. 

9ih  line  from  the  top,  for  1C30,  read  1730. 


F.M.  O'BRIEN 

ANTIQUARIAN 
BOOKSELLER 

2  Crafts  Ave. 
Northampton,  Mass. 

OUT-OF-PRINT   BOOKS 


BX7146.M4F8P2 

A  history  of  the  churches  and  ministers, 
Princeton  Theological  Seminary-Speer  Library 


1    1012  00004  9298 


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